Congo Republic. A State Of Katanga Order Of Merit

In bronze, measuring 31.8 mm (w) x 55.8 mm (h) inclusive of its wreath suspension, contact marks, original ribbon, very fine.

Footnote: The State of Katanga, also sometimes denoted as the Republic of Katanga, was a breakaway state that proclaimed its independence from the Republic of Congo-Léopoldville on July 11, 1960 under Moise Tshombe, leader of the local Confédération des associations tribales du Katanga (CONAKAT) political party (Federation of Kata). The new Katangese government did not enjoy full support throughout the province, especially not in the northern Baluba areas. The state is now Katanga Province, part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The declaration of independence was made with the support of Belgium business interests and over 6,000 Belgian troops. Tshombe was known to be close to the Belgian industrial companies which mined Katanga's rich resources of copper, gold and uranium. Katanga was one of the richest and most developed areas of the Congo. Without Katanga, Congo would lose a large part of its mineral assets and consequently government income. The Congolese central government and a large section of international opinion saw this secession as an attempt to create a Belgian-controlled puppet state run for the benefit of the mining interests. Belgium did not officially recognize the new state, despite providing it with military assistance. A military force designated the Katanga Gendarmerie, raised by the Tshombe government, was initially organized and trained by Belgian Army officers and subsequent European mercenaries. The Katanga Order of Merit was created on January 16, 1961 by President Moïse Tshombe, to reward eminent civil merit (ordonnance n°081/8). Nonetheless it seems that the order was also conferred on military personnel.