A Congolese friend informs Langley...

Let me remind you that a short while ago former CIA officer 'Thomas' told us at parting that he is well aware of behind-the-scenes intrigues of the US intelligence in many countries of Africa. And he promised to come back to it.

This time the interior of our meeting place was different. It was a comfortable and warm room with a view of a glorious seascape from the window. It was striking the eye that 'Thomas' came to the meeting dressed in casual style ... Just like last time, we habitually started with whisky and a cigar. After my vis-à-vis settled himself comfortably in the armchair and puffed aromatic smoke to the ceiling, he once again got to digging into his memories. While he was speaking, his recollections changed him right in front of my eyes. He became more energetic, his eyes were shining, even some of his wrinkles smoothed away. Once again, he felt like he is back in Langley. I need to mention that our talk was about quite another country and quite other people. Last time 'Thomas' told us about the work of the CIA in Liberia. This time, he began to talk about former Zaire, now its name is the Democratic Republic of the Congo. But still, it was an exciting and absorbing story. Well, you may read it and decide for yourself.

In the latter half of the 90s of the last century, Zaire was among the turbulent regions of Africa where clashes between various powers and ethnic groups were running high. People from Rwanda, both the Tutsi and the Hutu, took refuge there. Direct participants of the genocide against the Tutsi were among them.

It was 'the moment of truth' for Washington. American puppet Mobutu was quickly losing power in Zaire. Mobutu had begun his upraising to power back in 1960 after a military coup and the assassination of Patrice Lumumba, Prime Minister of that country at that moment who got almost forgotten these days (while his name used to be widely known throughout the liberated Africa and the socialist-camp countries).

If we go even farther back in history, the USA had included the Congo (I'd rather call this country just the Congo to make it easier) in the sphere of own national interests almost right after achieving independency. It is important to note that Americans had special interest for the Congo due to his outstanding natural riches. The Congo's mineral wealth contained almost full spectrum of most needed resources like copper ore, coal, iron ore, gold and diamonds. And to cap it all, more than a half of the world's explored reserves of uranium were located there!!! Naturally, the USA was zealous for keeping a tight hold on the situation in the Congo if not directing it in a broad manner. So, President Mobutu took advantage of America's assistance and support in the military coup to seize the power.

Taking into account all mentioned factors, the CIA followed its standard practice and introduced its net of agents into the dictator's immediate environment. At the period of time we are talking about, special president's advisor Honore Ngbanda-Nzambo Ко Atumba was among America's confidential agents.

'Thomas' recalled that the CIA had entered into undercover relations with Ngbanda-Nzambo long before the described events and assisted in his career progression. The African had a chance to work in national intelligence, the diplomatic service, he even used to head the Ministry of Defense of that country. For over fifteen years he had been holding various positions in the immediate environment of the top persons of the state who would come and go. And he was a universal agent; he was perfect both as an information provider and as an influencer. He had vast contacts not only within Africa but also in France, Belgium, South Korea.

Here are a few facts that characterize Ngbanda-Nzambo. There was speculation about his dishonesty, love of 'easy' money, accounting frauds, smuggling, and even plain stealing of funds in his custody. At the post of the head of the Zairean intelligence he descended to embezzling the money that the CIA officially allocated for his department via partnership channels. However, that never forced American coordinators to give him up as the information he provided paid off many times over. When Ngbanda-Nzambo had to go for overseas trips on the direction of the 'boss' (that's how he liked to call Mobutu) he often took his wife along at the government's expense. So, she was able to see not only African landscapes but also scenic splendors of China, Korea and Singapore. In Langley they never begrudged the cost of Ngbanda-Nzambo's service. He regularly received bonuses (award fees) from the headquarters. On special occasions they even delivered him some good champagne that was very much to the liking of the agent and his wife.

In the end of Mobutu's reign, Ngbanda-Nzambo was giving Americans the full picture of the dictator's international contacts, his illegit funding sources as well as weapons supply chains to the region just before the First Congo War. During the most 'hectic' period, the agent was directly contacted even by Assistant Secretaries of State, among them was Susan Rice who was in charge of African Affairs. However, the situation got out of hand and after Kinshasa fell down Ngbanda-Nzambo was forced to go into exile...

Many years have passed since that moment and now 'Thomas' is retired from service. But the media reports that he is aware of the fact that Honore Ngbanda-Nzambo Ко Atumba is now at the head of the Congolese oppositionists in France who call themselves patriots. Taking into consideration that the CIA usually does not lose contacts with its agents of that rank, 'Thomas' leaves open the possibility of America's attempted revenge in the Congo. In this case, Langley may well make use of Ngbanda-Nzambo ... By the way, 'Thomas' is not only familiar with the CIA agents in the highest quarters of African countries. He also got to do some field work in Europe so he knows a lot about especially valuable agents among European top-ranking officials, in particular, the CIA informer in one of governmental structures in Germany.

But he will probably tell it later...