Émile Janssens
Émile Janssens | |
|---|---|
General Janssens speaking to Congolese civilians following riots in Léopoldville, 1959 | |
| Born | 15 June 1902 Schaerbeek, Brussels, Belgium |
| Died | 4 December 1989 (aged 87) Brussels, Belgium |
| Allegiance | Belgian Congo |
| Service | Force Publique |
| Years of service | 1939–1960 |
| Rank | Lieutenant-general |
| Commands | Force Publique (March 1954–1960) |
| Other work | Historian, politician |
Émile Robert Alphonse Hippolyte Janssens (15 June 1902 – 4 December 1989) was a Belgian military officer and colonial official, best known for his command of the Force Publique at the start of the Congo Crisis. He described himself as the "Little Maniac" (French: Petit Maniaque) and was a staunch disciplinarian, but his refusal to see Congolese independence as marking a change in the nature of his command has been cited as the immediate cause of the mutiny by the Force Publique in July 1960 that plunged Congo-Léopoldville into chaos and anarchy.