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During its secession from Congo-Léopoldville from 1960 until 1963, Katanga hired foreign mercenaries. The know-how of French fighters were particularly appreciated because of their experience in the wars of decolonization. While they were few, they were still overrepresented within headquarters. Kept at bay from Algeria for fear that they would disobey, the French fighters were unofficial representatives of France rather than mercenaries. The United States supported the Binza group and Brussels supported the Belgian “Affreux.” Accordingly, the role of French mercenaries proved the efficiency of the plan set up by Foccart of a true “mercenary system.” Its fragility was due to the dependence on Portuguese Angola and to the arrival of other French people out of the SDECE’s control.