Could they support it covertly out of fear of communismThe US along with most of the former Colonial powers of Europe would not support such a state.
Probably not long. I just don't see the international community being happy about a state being overtly taken over or established by Mercenaries. I can't see this being allowed to continue.Anyway a Mercenary ruled state could form out of the Congo during the Congo crisis
How long could such a state survive
The US along with most of the former Colonial powers of Europe would not support such a state.
Drugs would help too, remember, "Bullets will not touch you!!!", according to the witch doctors.
IMHO a state that is supported / propped up or what ever by Foreign Mercenaries is fundamentally different than a state that is founded / taken over or established or what ever by Foreign Mercenaries.I don't see why they wouldn't when they supported Katanga OTL, and Katanga's military was very, very dependent upon Belgian mercenaries. The US, UK and Belgium all supported Katanga nonetheless, and even cooperated in attempts to assasinate Lumumba, the President of the Congo. So there is OTL precedent for the colonial powers of Europe not only tolerating but supporting mercenaries running around in the Congo. In order to make Katanga a mercenary ruled state, you could just have Katanga successfully become independent and then have a military coup on the part of the suddenly unemployed and disgruntled mercenaries. Belgium would likely support such a coup, since as I mentioned previously many of the mercenaries were Belgian.
You really shouldn't call Congolese clergy "witch doctors," as that's not what they call themselves in any of the local languages and it's actually quite a stereotypical phrase.
What do you mean by "mercenary state"?Anyway a Mercenary ruled state could form out of the Congo during the Congo crisis
How long could such a state survive
Why should Belgium be supportive of such a coup just becouse the people executing the coup are Belgian?I don't see why they wouldn't when they supported Katanga OTL, and Katanga's military was very, very dependent upon Belgian mercenaries. The US, UK and Belgium all supported Katanga nonetheless, and even cooperated in attempts to assasinate Lumumba, the President of the Congo. So there is OTL precedent for the colonial powers of Europe not only tolerating but supporting mercenaries running around in the Congo. In order to make Katanga a mercenary ruled state, you could just have Katanga successfully become independent and then have a military coup on the part of the suddenly unemployed and disgruntled mercenaries. Belgium would likely support such a coup, since as I mentioned previously many of the mercenaries were Belgian.
You really shouldn't call Congolese clergy "witch doctors," as that's not what they call themselves in any of the local languages and it's actually quite a stereotypical phrase.
There are easier places arguably to have a mercenary state in this era. The Comoros come to mind. But even then, why would other countries tolerate it?
Why should Belgium be supportive of such a coup just becouse the people executing the coup are Belgian?
I'll be sure to let the BBC know.....as well as the Red Cross and Tanzanian government.
"BBC News reported, on March 12, 2015, that, "More than 200 witchdoctors and traditional healers have been arrested in Tanzania in a crackdown on the murder of albino people. The killings have been driven by the belief – advanced by some witchdoctors – that the body parts have properties that confer wealth and good luck. According to the Red Cross, witchdoctors are prepared to pay $75,000 (£50,000) for a complete set of albino body parts. Nearly 80 albino Tanzanians have been killed since 2000, the UN says. The latest victims include a one-year-old albino boy, killed in north-western Tanzania. The government banned witchdoctors in January as part of its efforts to prevent further attacks and kidnappings targeting people with albinism."
Call them what you want, I'll call them what I want. The phrase has been around how long?
Thanks for your response!
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An area ruled by a western mercenaries either as a group or one person de facto and de jure. I thinking along the lines of a modern-day Catalan company or Normans or MamluksDo you mean a state that works solely for pay? How would that work? How would this mercenary state reproduce itself?
Lead by western mercenaries and can include localsWho would the mercenaries be? Could they be local mercenaries or are you refering to mercenaries from the west?
Automatically or by military serviceHow would citizenship function in such a state? Would locals get citizenship automatically or would they have to apply?
Belgium did support Belgian mercenaries in Katanga that is correct, but not becouse they were Belgian.Because the Belgian government supported them OTL? The Belgian government was actively involved in propping up Katanga and destabilizing the Congo so that they could continue to access the rich mineral deposits of Katanga.
Maybe some sort of neo-feudal state could be established?An area ruled by a western mercenaries either as a group or one person de facto and de jure. I thinking along the lines of a modern-day Catalan company or Normans or Mamluks
Lead by western mercenaries and can include locals
Automatically or by military service