Account of Major General Claude Paelinck Regarding His Service in the Force Publique (2006)

Major General Claude Paelinck had a distinguished military career within the Belgian Armed Forces and played a significant role in the colonial and post-colonial history of the Congo. His career began in the 1950s during the transition toward decolonization. Paelinck was closely associated with the Force Publique, the colonial army of Belgium in Congo, and took on a prominent role during the Katanga crisis, where he was involved with the Katangese Gendarmerie. Under President Mobutu's regime, Paelinck made his mark by re-establishing the military academy in Congo. This institution, which had been heavily damaged during the Congo Crisis, was restored under his leadership in collaboration with the Congolese government. Upon returning to Belgium, Paelinck continued his military career, taking on various strategic roles. As the commander of the Royal Military Academy (RMA), a prestigious academic and military institution, he played a key role in modernizing its curriculum, leaving a lasting impact on the development of Belgium's military elite.

00:00 Personal Introduction
02:06 Congo Pre-Independence
05:38 Independence of Congo
07:16 Force Publique Mutiny
11:42 War in Katanga
16:47 Hope of Return
18:25 Rebuilding the Military Academy
21:53 Mobutu Economics
22:24 Current State of Congo
24:10 Rehabilitation of Congo's Infrastructure
26:31 Political Correctness
28:53 New Era for Congo?
30:19 Failed Independence
35:14 Country Assistance Framework
39:00 Cooperation with Belgium