Force Publique

The Force Publique (French: [fɔʁs pyblik], "Public Force"; Dutch: Openbare Weermacht) was a gendarmerie and military force in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 1885 (when the territory was known as the Congo Free State), through the period of Belgian colonial rule (Belgian Congo – 1908 to 1960). The FP was retitled as the Congolese National Army or ANC in July 1960 after independence.

For the Monagasque Force Publique, see Force Publique (Monaco).
Force Publique
Force Publique soldiers on parade with their Belgian officer in the late 1940s
Active1885–1960
Allegiance Congo Free State (to 1908)
 Belgian Congo (1908–60)
Democratic Republic of the Congo Republic of the Congo (1960)
TypeColonial army
Sizec. 17,000 (1914)[1]
c. 23,500 (1960)[2]
Nickname(s)FP
EngagementsCongo–Arab War
World War I
World War II
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