The CIA World Factbook Every edition, 1990 to 2025 Africa
Military and security forces Democratic Republic of the Congo, in 36 editions.
The entry for Democratic Republic of the Congo published Military and security forces in 36 editions of 36, from 1990 to 2025. The text changed in 21 editions. Each is shown as published. Military and security forces in every entry.
- editions changed the text
- 21
- the first edition with it
- 1990
- the latest edition with it
- 2025
Published as “Branches” (1990 to 1996), “Military branches” (1997 to 2018) and “Military and security forces” (2019 to 2025).
field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe edition shownChoose an edition on the strip beside the text, or step through them with the arrows. Mark changes compares it with the edition before: the marks are ours, words added and words removed.
2025 edition
Changed since 2024Entry published as “Zaire”.
Published as “Branches”
- Army,
- Navy,
- Air Force,
- National Gendarmerie,
- Logistics Corps,
- Special Presidential Division
Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, Logistics Corps, Special Presidential Division
Entry published as “Zaire”.
Published as “Branches”
- Army,
- Navy,
- Air Force,
- paramilitary National Gendarmerie,
- paramilitary Civil Guard
Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary National Gendarmerie, Logistics Corps, Special Presidential Division paramilitary Civil Guard
The same text in 3 editions, 1992 to 1994.
Entry published as “Zaire”.
Published as “Branches”
- Army,
- Navy,
- Air Force,
- paramilitary National Gendarmerie,
- Civil Guard,
- Special Presidential Division
Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary National Gendarmerie, paramilitary Civil Guard Guard,
Special Presidential Division
Entry published as “Zaire”.
Published as “Branches”
- Army,
- Navy,
- Air Force,
- National Gendarmerie,
- paramilitary Civil Guard,
- Special Presidential Division
Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary National Gendarmerie, paramilitary
Civil Guard,
Entry published as “Zaire”.
Published as “Branches”
- Army,
- Navy,
- Air Force,
- National Gendarmerie,
- paramilitary Civil Guard,
- Special Presidential Division
Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, paramilitary
paramilitary Civil Guard, Special Presidential Division
Entry published as “Congo, Democratic Republic of the”.
Published as “Military branches”
- Army,
- Navy,
- Air Force,
- National Gendarmerie,
- paramilitary Civil Guard,
- Special Presidential Division
Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie,
paramilitary Civil Guard, Special Presidential Division
Entry published as “Congo, Democratic Republic of the”.
Published as “Military branches”
- Army,
- Navy,
- Air Force
Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, Force
paramilitary Civil Guard, Special Presidential Division
Entry published as “Congo, Democratic Republic of the”.
Published as “Military branches”
- Army,
- Navy,
- Air Force,
- Presidential Security Group,
- Gendarmerie
Army, Navy, Air Force Force, Presidential Security
Group, Gendarmerie
Entry published as “Congo, Democratic Republic of the”.
Published as “Military branches”
- Army,
- Navy,
- Air Force,
- Presidential Security Group,
- Gendarmerie
Army, Navy, Air Force, Presidential Security
Entry published as “Congo, Democratic Republic of the”.
Published as “Military branches”
- Army,
- Navy,
- Air Force,
- Special Presidential Security Group
Army, Navy, Air Force, Special Presidential Security Group, Gendarmerie Group
The same text in 2002 and 2003.
Entry published as “Congo, Democratic Republic of the”.
Published as “Military branches”
- Army,
- Navy,
- Air Force,
- Special Security Battalion
Army, Navy, Air Force, Special Presidential Security Group Battalion
The same text in 3 editions, 2004 to 2006.
Entry published as “Congo, Democratic Republic of the”.
Published as “Military branches”
- Army,
- Navy,
- Air Force
Army, Navy, Air Force, Special Security Battalion Force
Entry published as “Congo, Democratic Republic of the”.
Published as “Military branches”
Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC): Army, Navy, Congolese Air Force (Force Aerienne Congolaise, FAC) (2006)
Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC): Army, Navy, Congolese Air Force (Force Aerienne Congolaise, FAC) (2006)
Entry published as “Congo, Democratic Republic of the”.
Published as “Military branches”
Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Forces d'Armees de la Republique Democratique du Congo, FARDC): Army, National Navy (La Marine Nationale), Congolese Air Force (Force Aerienne Congolaise, FAC) (2008)
Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC): (Forces d'Armees de la Republique Democratique du Congo, FARDC): Army, Navy, National Navy (La Marine Nationale), Congolese Air Force (Force Aerienne Congolaise, FAC) (2006) (2008)
Entry published as “Congo, Democratic Republic of the”.
Published as “Military branches”
Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Forces d'Armees de la Republique Democratique du Congo, FARDC): Army, National Navy (La Marine Nationale), Congolese Air Force (Force Aerienne Congolaise, FAC) (2009)
Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Forces d'Armees de la Republique Democratique du Congo, FARDC): Army, National Navy (La Marine Nationale), Congolese Air Force (Force Aerienne Congolaise, FAC) (2008) (2009)
Entry published as “Congo, Democratic Republic of the”.
Published as “Military branches”
Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Forces d'Armees de la Republique Democratique du Congo, FARDC): Army, National Navy (La Marine Nationale), Congolese Air Force (Force Aerienne Congolaise, FAC) (2010)
Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Forces d'Armees de la Republique Democratique du Congo, FARDC): Army, National Navy (La Marine Nationale), Congolese Air Force (Force Aerienne Congolaise, FAC) (2009) (2010)
The same text in 4 editions, 2011 to 2014.
Entry published as “Congo, Democratic Republic of the”.
Published as “Military branches”
Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Forces d'Armees de la Republique Democratique du Congo, FARDC): Army, National Navy (La Marine Nationale), Congolese Air Force (Force Aerienne Congolaise, FAC) (2011)
Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Forces d'Armees de la Republique Democratique du Congo, FARDC): Army, National Navy (La Marine Nationale), Congolese Air Force (Force Aerienne Congolaise, FAC) (2010) (2011)
The same text in 3 editions, 2015 to 2017.
Entry published as “Congo, Democratic Republic Of The”.
Published as “Military branches”
Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Forces d'Armees de la Republique Democratique du Congo, FARDC): Army, National Navy (La Marine Nationale), Congolese Air Force (Force Aerienne Congolaise, FAC) (2011)
Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Forces d'Armees de la Republique Democratique du Congo, FARDC): Army, National Navy (La Marine Nationale), Congolese Air Force (Force Aerienne Congolaise, FAC) (2011)
Entry published as “Congo, Democratic Republic of the”.
Published as “Military branches”
Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Forces d'Armees de la Republique Democratique du Congo, FARDC): Army, National Navy (La Marine Nationale), Congolese Air Force (Force Aerienne Congolaise, FAC) (2011)
Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Forces d'Armees de la Republique Democratique du Congo, FARDC): Army, National Navy (La Marine Nationale), Congolese Air Force (Force Aerienne Congolaise, FAC) (2011)
The same text in 2019 and 2020.
Entry published as “Congo, Democratic Republic of the”.
- Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Forces d'Armees de la Republique Democratique du Congo, FARDC): Land Forces, National Navy (La Marine Nationale), Congolese Air Force (Force Aerienne Congolaise, FAC);
- Republican Guard (responsible for presidential security) (2019)
Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Forces d'Armees de la Republique Democratique du Congo, FARDC): Army, Land Forces, National Navy (La Marine Nationale), Congolese Air Force (Force Aerienne Congolaise, FAC) (2011) FAC); Republican Guard (responsible for presidential security) (2019)
Entry published as “Congo, Democratic Republic of the”.
Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Forces d'Armees de la Republique Democratique du Congo, FARDC): Land Forces, National Navy (La Marine Nationale), Congolese Air Force (Force Aerienne Congolaise, FAC); Republican Guard (2021)
- note - the Republican Guard is a division-size element consisting of approximately 5 regiments;
- it is regarded as the country’s best equipped and trained military unit and is under the direct control of the president
Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Forces d'Armees de la Republique Democratique du Congo, FARDC): Land Forces, National Navy (La Marine Nationale), Congolese Air Force (Force Aerienne Congolaise, FAC); Republican Guard (responsible for presidential security) (2019) (2021)
note - the Republican Guard is a division-size element consisting of approximately 5 regiments; it is regarded as the country’s best equipped and trained military unit and is under the direct control of the president
Entry published as “Congo, Democratic Republic of the”.
- Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Forces d'Armees de la Republique Democratique du Congo, FARDC): Land Forces, National Navy (La Marine Nationale), Congolese Air Force (Force Aerienne Congolaise, FAC);
- Republican Guard;
- Ministry of Interior: Congolese National Police, Directorate General for Migration (2022)
note: the Republican Guard is a division-size element consisting of approximately 5 regiments; it is regarded as the country’s best equipped and trained military unit and is under the direct control of the president
Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Forces d'Armees de la Republique Democratique du Congo, FARDC): Land Forces, National Navy (La Marine Nationale), Congolese Air Force (Force Aerienne Congolaise, FAC); Republican Guard (2021) Guard; Ministry of Interior: Congolese National Police, Directorate General for Migration (2022)note - note: the Republican Guard is a division-size element consisting of approximately 5 regiments; it is regarded as the country’s best equipped and trained military unit and is under the direct control of the president
Entry published as “Congo, Democratic Republic of the”.
Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Forces d'Armees de la Republique Democratique du Congo, FARDC): Land Forces, National Navy (La Marine Nationale), Congolese Air Force (Force Aerienne Congolaise, FAC); Republican Guard (2023)
note 1: the Congolese National Police are under the Ministry of Interior
note 2: the Republican Guard is a division-size element consisting of approximately 5 regiments; it is regarded as the country’s best equipped and trained military unit and is under the direct control of the president
Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Forces d'Armees de la Republique Democratique du Congo, FARDC): Land Forces, National Navy (La Marine Nationale), Congolese Air Force (Force Aerienne Congolaise, FAC); Republican Guard; Ministry of Interior: Guard (2023)
note 1: the Congolese National Police, Directorate General for Migration (2022) Police are under the Ministry of Interiornote: note 2: the Republican Guard is a division-size element consisting of approximately 5 regiments; it is regarded as the country’s best equipped and trained military unit and is under the direct control of the president
Entry published as “Congo, Democratic Republic of the”.
Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Forces d'Armees de la Republique Democratique du Congo, FARDC): Land Forces, National Navy (La Marine Nationale), Congolese Air Force (Force Aerienne Congolaise, FAC); Republican Guard
- Ministry of Interior:
- Congolese National Police (2024)
note: the Republican Guard is a division-size element with armored and infantry units; it is regarded as the country’s most capable unit and is under the direct control of the president
Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Forces d'Armees de la Republique Democratique du Congo, FARDC): Land Forces, National Navy (La Marine Nationale), Congolese Air Force (Force Aerienne Congolaise, FAC); Republican Guard (2023)note 1: the Ministry of Interior: Congolese National Police are under the Ministry of Interior (2024)note 2: note: the Republican Guard is a division-size element consisting of approximately 5 regiments; with armored and infantry units; it is regarded as the country’s best equipped and trained military most capable unit and is under the direct control of the president
Entry published as “Congo, Democratic Republic of the”.
- Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Forces d'Armees de la Republique Democratique du Congo, FARDC): Land Forces (Forces Terrestres), National Navy (La Marine Nationale), Congolese Air Force (Force Aerienne Congolaise, FAC);
- Republican Guard (Garde Républicaine, GR)
- Ministry of Interior:
- Congolese National Police (Police Nationale Congolaise, PNC) (2025)
note: the Republican Guard is overseen by the office of the presidency rather than the FARDC; it focuses on protecting the president and government institutions and enforcing internal security
note 2: community-based self-defense groups, known as Wazalendo militias, are also active in areas contested by illegal armed groups, such as M23
Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Forces d'Armees de la Republique Democratique du Congo, FARDC): Land Forces, Forces (Forces Terrestres), National Navy (La Marine Nationale), Congolese Air Force (Force Aerienne Congolaise, FAC); Republican Guard (Garde Républicaine, GR)
Ministry of Interior: Congolese National Police (2024) (Police Nationale Congolaise, PNC) (2025)
note: the Republican Guard is a division-size element with armored and infantry units; it is regarded as the country’s most capable unit and is under overseen by the direct control office of the presidency rather than the FARDC; it focuses on protecting the president and government institutions and enforcing internal security
note 2: community-based self-defense groups, known as Wazalendo militias, are also active in areas contested by illegal armed groups, such as M23
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Cite this page
Central Intelligence Agency. “Democratic Republic of the Congo: Military and security forces.” The World Factbook, 1990–2025 editions. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/democratic-republic-of-the-congo/military-and-security-forces.