White Legion (Zaire)

White Legion
Légion Blanc
ActiveJanuary 14 – late March/early April, 1997
Allegiance Zaire
Size276 mercenaries
EngagementsFirst Congo War
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Colonel Christian Tavernier
Colonel Jugoslav Petrušić
Lieutenant Milorad Pelemiš
Aircraft flown
AttackSoko J-21 Jastreb
Soko G-2 Galeb
Attack helicopterMil Mi-24
ReconnaissancePilatus PC-6B Turbo-Porter
TransportHawker Siddeley Andover
Antonov An-26
Zaire President Mobutu Sese Seko approved the use of the White Legion mercenaries.

The White Legion was a mercenary unit during the First Congo War (1996–97) employed on the side of Zaire President Mobutu Sese Seko. This group of several hundred men, mostly from former Yugoslavia, was given the task of defending the city of Kisangani and training Zairean troops. This effort was largely unsuccessful and in mid-March 1997 the mercenaries left the country.