White Legion (Zaire)

White Legion
Légion Blanc
ActiveJanuary–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

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