constituteproject.org PDF generated: 18 Apr 2016, 15:22 Paragraph 2: Of the Armed Forces Article 187 The Armed Forces consist of the land force, the air force, the naval force and their services of support. They have the mission to defend the integrity of the national territory and the frontiers. Under the conditions specified by the law, they participate, in times of peace, in the economic, social and cultural development as well as the protection of persons and of their assets. Article 188 The Armed Forces are republican. They are at the service of the entire Nation. No one may, under penalty of high treason, direct them for their own purposes. They are apolitical and subject to the civil authority. Article 189 The personnel, at all levels, [and] the functions of command at all times and in all circumstances, must take account of objective criteria linked to both physical aptitude, to sufficient instruction and to a proven morality as well as to an equitable representation of the Provinces. Article 190 No one may, under penalty of high treason, organize military groups, paramilitary [groups] or private militias, or maintain a youth army. Article 191 An organic law determines the organization and the functioning of the Armed Forces. Article 192 A Superior Council of Defense is instituted. The Superior Council of Defense is presided over by the President of the Republic and, in the case of his absence or incapacity, by the Prime Minister. An organic law determines the organization, the composition, the attributions and the functioning of the Superior Council of Defense. Section 7: Of the Public Administration Article 193 The Public Administration is apolitical, neutral and impartial. No one may direct it for personal or partisan ends. It consists of the public function [fonction publique] as well as similar organs and services. Congo (Democratic Republic of the) 2005 (rev. 2011) Page 50