Bob Denard: French Mercenary Who Caused Chaos in Africa | African Biographics

[@Dea_Decay]

As a World History teacher in the USA, thank you for these videos. My own education did not cover most of what I've seen on your channel so far, and I've been trying to make up for it, and pass what I can along to my students.

[@blixxim]

it warms my soul to hear an african voice presenting african history

[@AfricanBiographics]

Thank you

[@donjuanmckenzie4897]

Omg a heckin non white?!

[@blixxim]

@@donjuanmckenzie4897 ...

[@johnmcdonald9295]

@@blixximu must be proud of Elon musk,one of the richest men in the world ,an African

[@blixxim]

@@johnmcdonald9295 ah yes Elon and his apartheid emerald mine money he used to make his fortune. I am about as proud of him as I am Isabel dos Santos. He is just another rentier capitalist incapable of creating anything.

[@ShottaKenya]

“Bob In Benin” needs to be a movie. North Koreans in Benin repelling a French-backed insurrection lasting 3 hours and Bob Denard surviving a headshot.

[@martintuward1537]

Bob may your soul rest in peace you did evil in Africa and the world may God forgive your sins

[@paulquemat6755]

There is a movie wich name is "mister bob"

[@donjuanmckenzie4897]

@@martintuward1537 Bob Denard was a good man

[@augustusmageto7435]

@@donjuanmckenzie4897 Are you sane?

[@hassanal-mustapha1321]

@@donjuanmckenzie4897 A good Man???

[@byronbailey9229]

In 1995 I was captain of an Airbus from Dubai on descent into Moroni, Comoros when I was told there was a coup in progress. Mercenary's backed by Bob Denard had just captured the airfield so I diverted to Jo'Burg. Two days later I flew empty into Moroni to rescue 210 stranded South Africa tourists under an agreement between Emirates and the Coup Leader.

[@dunruden9720]

mercenaries. For plurals, change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es.'

[@joshuaharrelson572]

Everybody is an English teacher on youtube.

[@sharwama992]

Did you write a book or a memo It would make a good movie

[@thecriticalscholar8680]

What a great and informative video. It is interesting how non governmental actors such as mercenaries carved up a role for themselves in Africa. Keep up making great quality videos.

[@AfricanBiographics]

Thank you for the feedback

[@ngutumpuennutu2836]

@@AfricanBiographics If Bod Denard was able to hold mess in the Comoros for a long time, it is also because of the complicity of African dictators. When you are a dictator, you don't interfere in the affairs of neighboring countries because you know that your own power is fragile. There is also the passivity of non-dictators. The same Bob Denard had tried to repeat his "exploit" from the Comoros to the Seychelles. It took the intervention of a single battalion of the Tanzanian army for him and his men to flee like the cowards they are.

[@anarivera8852]

Bobcinard was a patsy of French governement. He did the dirty job for it. It works like that since the world was a world. They are the remnants of templiers, croisades, all combined.

[@ngutumpuennutu2836]

@@anarivera8852 This expression "since the world was a world" is a catch-all to justify criminal behavior. First of all, it is false. If the term "World" refers to the earth, it is 4 billion years old. If the term "World" designates the human race, it is 3 million years old if we limit ourselves to the homo genus. I don't know if you were there to verify that human beings behaved like Bob Denard. Even in our present day, not all men practiced twisted blows beyond the seas.

[@Mach5Johnny]

@@AfricanBiographics you should do a video on Simon Mann…. Count Dankula did an awesome and interesting Mad Lads episode on Mann.

[@zakaria497]

As a indigenous African, your videos taught me so much about my continent after the colonial era. So much death and destruction it’s horrifying. Thank you my African brother

[@thenoneckpeoplerepresentat8074]

As a person born between the lands of head and shoulders, I would have guessed you’re from Uranus.

[@zakaria497]

@@thenoneckpeoplerepresentat8074 sad, I guess your father or mother never cared for you to even learn you manners

[@kobe51]

The Europeans committed war crimes. If any other nation successfully did that to them, they would cry for justice and reparations. Look at Haitian overthrow of French rule.

[@arnbo88]

"Cry Havoc and Let Slip". Bob Denard was absolutely a fascinating character who with out a doubt was backed by the French government. The French government had 4 levels of interference in foreign affairs: 1) Full scale invasion using the French military. 2) The French Foreign Legion which is used for protectorates and peacekeeping missions. 3) The DGSE "Action Division" used for covert ops like sinking the Rainbow Warrior and 4) Bob Denard who could destabilize smaller nations and not have any direct ties with France....plausible denial.

[@Stoic-Waziri]

It's always great when i learn entirely new things!!!

[@gdjherp1295]

Thank you for this wonderful channel! It amazes me how history romanticises these players and events and misses the toll on human life and the suffering of civilians who just want to get on with life.

[@celticgold2011]

Is very informative and enlightening Videos about post colonial Africa. Thank you for producing these videos and keep up the good work !

[@redemption3830]

You are doing a great job educating people about African history which many Africans don't know. I love history from since my school days and I am Pan African. You got yourself a subscriber. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.

[@BaltimoresBerzerker]

😎 Pan Nationalism: The belief that all ethnic cultural groups have a right to a realistic degree of autonomy or self representation, free from outside interference. In the words of Bobby Sands, but applied to all people's "There can never be peace in Ireland until the foreign oppressive British presence is removed, leaving the Irish as a unit to control their own affairs and determine their own destinies as a sovereign people free in mind and body, separate and distinct physically, culturally, and economically."

[@gideonmoseri4850]

If there was a School of Coup d'État (which I believe it is there in France 🇫🇷) Bob Denard would have been a lecturer.

[@victorhugo-xs9lj]

Yeah...if you want your coup to fail most of the time....

[@gideonmoseri4850]

@@victorhugo-xs9lj I believe foreigners never succeeded in making coups in foreign countries except him and France.

[@victorhugo-xs9lj]

@@gideonmoseri4850 CIA assisted coup were more successful.

[@gideonmoseri4850]

@@victorhugo-xs9lj you are right about the CIA, I forgot

[@michaelochido3244]

true they have the DGSE....mastermind of most coups in Africa and Asia!

[@SwisstedChef2018]

I was a UN officer in the Angola conflict and I love the African continent like few do. I saw Cameroon, NIgeria, Mozambique, Namibia, Angola, Cote D' Ivoire , Tanzania, Kenya,

[@JohnMoore-xf5wy]

I flew relief food in four countries and spent time in several others. I absolutely love Africa.

[@samadams8355]

Speaking of mercenaries, I second the recommendation of "Mad Mike" Hoare as a future video subject. May I also suggest Executive Outcomes? They were hired by the Angolan government in 1992 to help defeat UNITA, when UNITA refused to accept the election results and resumed the civil war instead. Ironically, most of EO's troops at the time were veteran SADF soldiers who had fought on the other side when South Africa invaded Angola.

[@MyILoveMinecraft]

Also as a German, I'm very much interested in Kongo Müller.. The dude became quite infamous here

[@speakertreatz]

I second that suggestion of Executive Outcomes, very interesting how they beat back the RUF in Sierra Leone

[@Mach5Johnny]

Speaking of Executive Outcomes, Count Dankula did an awesome and interesting Mad Lads episode on Simon Mann!

[@beng3745]

Great video! I first heard of Denard was when he was arrested but never out about all the coups. Also South Africa's, Executive Outcomes is fascinating. They fought in Angola with UNITA. But once the rebels took some diamonds, they switched sids right away, And UK's Sandline International were invited to put down rebels in PNG and were shut down by the UK. Or PM Thatchers son Mark who was caught funding a coup in Equatorial Guinea, in 2004. And the American Blackwater who just changed their name after getting caught,

[@Lucas_07-PL]

Comoros : Finnaly , after years of colonization we can now develop our Independent country in peace. Bob Denard : Bonjour.

[@MrBraddatz]

They didnt need mercenaries to screw up their own countries, it just came naturaly.

[@Kfc1488]

Lol how is decolonization going for you?

[@Lucas_07-PL]

@@Kfc1488 Very good , I'm from Poland.

[@crossbearer6453]

@@MrBraddatz western nations naturally wanted and got their puppets to screw it up

[@jensboeckel7112]

Thank you for this shocking, thrilling and interesting history lesson!

[@robertfenton340]

Good video. Can you do one on mercenary Michael ‘Mad Mike’ Hoare?

[@AfricanBiographics]

Thanks for the suggestion, I appreciate it

[@steventhompson399]

I think that would be interesting, I don't know much about mad mike other than his involvement in the Congo but that alone is a good story for a video

[@hawkstajeffhawksta9229]

Yes Mike Hoare died last year AGED 100

[@horatioclare7095]

Great work! More like this please - lovely presentation style and voice, well written. Thank you!

[@jeffstowe4860]

Thank you sir. A very informative and vital essay on part of African history.

[@Kpnta]

Well done video, and very informative. Thank you

[@curiousmonster8221]

Excellent as always.................✔️

[@sqaddie]

These kind of videos give an insight into why Africa was always in turmoil. Please keep These information based videos brother 🤨🇯🇲✌🏾👊🏿

[@personanon-grata]

@Joe Moer what country do you know is 300,000 years old?

[@personanon-grata]

@Joe Moer and that guy was a french agent not a mercenary. The french government recently admitted to it.

[@Mach5Johnny]

Africa still is in turmoil… this time by Communist China! Their Debt-Trap Diplomacy with their Belt and Road Initiative and Neo-Colonialism is fucking over Africa like crazy… Fortunately Kenya has been catching on to what Communist China is doing.

[@abdulbasitabdulsalam5167]

My takeaway from this; a whole new perspective on the Biafra war in Nigeria, because its clear now that foreign forces were in play rather than just the narrative of Igbos and Hausas killing each other.

[@erastusmacharia1653]

Thanks Very Informative....waaoh I will be your Permanent follower atleast I now understand The Root cause of Problems in Africa

[@justinamusyoka4986]

We still borrow from France.

[@CB-py1xh]

This man looks like everyones most friendly neighbor. Could imagine him here doing gardening work in front of his house and playing with his grandchildren. But looks like he was just like all the other african warlords out for power and money by means of violence.

[@nothingnothing5183]

All of the men who have done the most damage to Africa look just like this guy.

[@alainjoseph7790]

He ain’t African

[@donjuanmckenzie4897]

@@nothingnothing5183 lol

[@brightibezim1486]

Waooo!!. Interesting history, people like him are still very much at play in Africa, Boko Haram, Libya crises, Mali and other places. Africa needs to wake up and take its destiny into its hands.

[@allenschmitz9644]

Made in S.A. CHINE.

[@noahmead4652]

I've subscribed

[@Eric-steele]

Good video thanks very much

[@oddlookinbloke8753]

Absolutely amazing video

[@AfricanBiographics]

Glad you like it

[@Karl_I]

Legend

[@picklerick6561]

Loved the video. The lullaby was a bit unsettling

[@schizoidboy]

I'm always mindful of a line from the book "The Dogs of War" (Where Bob Denard is mentioned several times and described by one character) where one top mercenary named Colonel from Belgium is considered an extension of the Belgian government. It could be suggested the same was for Denard; he either had to have the direct or indirect support of the French government when it came to his actions. I don't know to many mercenaries who will actually fight against their own home governments.

[@TheGoodChap]

Most of them don't want to be men without a country and play around in other countries before coming back sometimes to work odd jobs and then go back out. There's a book manual of the mercenary soldier by Paul balor which goes into detail about how you're going to be surrounded by unofficial CIA agents everywhere you go and they can have interesting work for people even if they never outright say they're with the agency and while it's safer as far as not getting arrested in the US sometimes... If it's particularly illegal you will be hung out to dry as you're expendable, thats why they hired you and did it through many layers of subcontractors. Its an absolutely bizarre book one of the most interesting reads of any book I own

[@ermining1]

For sure he was! I know someone who was a mercenary in Kosovo and Congo, when he returned to France he was sent to jail. After which him and his men were personally freed by Charles pascua

[@johnomolaye9957]

Very educative.

[@placesandspaces3489]

I was waiting to see when this entity would finally die. Nice reporting, as always. I learn so much from you. Thank you.

[@somalilanddiaspora]

Thanks man! For enlightening us on French dirty work in Africa

[@bjrnterjesen651]

Love this channel❤️

[@RkR2001]

Nice Channel!

[@Makh927]

Why did he show Australian dollars when he showed the money. I had to do a double take. Interesting 🤔

[@yatyas02]

Well done!

[@inovartesmedialdainovartes2041]

This is what happens when the Lion trusts the Hyena with his most precious affairs… Plain and simple, we need to stop being traitors to Ourselves as Africans the world over! Look at all of the damage that this Hyena did inside the Lions grounds! 💯 % Ridiculous 😡😡😡🔥

[@jedimindtrix2142]

As a guy living in America it blew my mind to hear this story. It's like something out of a crazy ass movie but it's true. I can't believe he was able to continually find allies within these countries to work with time and time and time again! You would think he would have had his head blown off by someone sooner or later. He was obviously working with French intelligence services. He seems like a pretty sad excuse for a human being. Anyone who can kill and fight for money like that is a sick soul.

[@inovartesmedialdainovartes2041]

@Joe Moer is that right?

[@inovartesmedialdainovartes2041]

@Joe Moer 🤣🤣🤣 If only you knew.

[@justinamusyoka4986]

@@jedimindtrix2142 Another Che Guevara....people born with an anti establishment blood.

[@HowDeepIsYourJesus]

Sticking with your metaphor - the hyena has now got metal claws and has learnt to use fire, the lion is weak and ever has the hyenas claw on its throat. Unless the people of this world rise and defeat the expansionist powers of the West, then I'm afraid the lion will become little more than a housecat within a hundred years and the hyena will be the emperor of the jungle.

[@quedtion_marks_kirby_modding]

I came here from your angola video. Great content, the situation there reminds me alot of the armed conflict in my own country (Colombia).

[@TeddyBelcher4kultrawide]

Cool vids

[@theshadow420blazeit7]

Bob Denard inspired a character in a novel I’m working on. The Ali Soilih coup specifically mainly inspires this

[@BackSeatHump]

A good video!

[@cucumber623]

another great video

[@bj7643]

He actually did good in Comoros the economy was booming when he became the Sultan

[@eriksvsirocco]

I was in Moroni 4 years ago, sadly it looks like Somalia now

[@peoplesperson4132]

I like the southern African accent so much!!!

[@AfricanBiographics]

Lol, thank you

[@malama_ka_aina]

Randomly came across this video. Very happy I did. Amazing how this man, and many like him, are responsible (with the help of our visionless politicians) for the continued pain and suffering of our people. Thank you for this video

[@zippymufo9765]

Right, none of it is ever YOUR fault 😂

[@malama_ka_aina]

​@@zippymufo9765Never said we have no fault, but you've got it all figured out. All we do is complain isn't it? I'm sure that's what you think. Your time will come

[@Mach5Johnny]

I’d love to see Count Dankula do a Mad Lads episode on Bob Denard.

[@marutanray]

Can you do an episode on equatorial guinea.

[@ubahfly5409]

"You never done nothing, But build to destroy, You play with my world, Like it's your little toy." - a very different Bob D. (Masters Of War)

[@bolajilaurance6359]

thanks

[@TJTLY]

Delighted to watch this video, it shows how Precious Africa is to the world and how not to trust backstabbers! They SMILE IN YOUR FACE, BUT CAN'T WAIT TO TAKE YOUR PLACE.😡😡😡

[@donjuanmckenzie4897]

Africa is a burden

[@xray86delta]

If I saw this as a movie, I might have laughed at it! What a wild life, in a wild period in history. I must admit, I thought the days of the mercenary ended with the end of colonialism, in the early 70s.

[@chrissanchez2998]

Awesome I enjoy the history

[@trawallyousman2509]

This piece of information is very important knowing those that was involve in destabilising afrca. Bob was somehow supported by some foreign big hands

[@jedimindtrix2142]

The French...I mean he spelled it out for us.

[@justinamusyoka4986]

We still watch the French presidents signing trade treaties with African countries yet they still sponsor mercenaries.We ought to learn our lesson.

[@scottmac-cheeserae4531]

What's with the lullaby music?

[@carcher3279]

I felt sleepy listening.

[@johnwalker9374]

Really good history of a legendary soldier of fortune in Africa. An excellent video about an incredibly capable and interesting man. The political dynamics of African independence causes during this period are fascinating. Bloody good history. Old ANZAC protege ( kiwi)

[@TomQuiNEstPasLa]

On the one hand, it would have been nice for Biafra to have a clean, amiable independence, regardless of French intentions in the rest of West Africa. I think it could have been beneficial to the north of Nigeria as well, to continue the rule of one of Africa's oldest nations as an independent polity. On the other hand... God damn, man! Who has enough interest in the Comoros to overthrow its government three times? If you want a beach house, you can buy one in Florida for cheap, man!

[@kinguche9208]

No it would been better we the Biafra’s have independent out of the zoo Nigeria with the help of the France

[@dekuan4148]

@@kinguche9208 help of France? so you just wanted to leave one master to another? Very smart movement.

[@ianmatthews2912]

@@dekuan4148 Much the same as nicola sturgeon!

[@hayatimofire4852]

@@dekuan4148 they are the biggest fools,that's why nigeria is in turmoil upto now. French speaking are running away from france,but Biafra wants france!!

[@beaujules1]

"An anarchist who legalized [a plant]" What a madman!

[@ben8147]

Very cool fellow :)

[@dondouglass6415]

Great research... It portrays scarey people whom we, very oddly, admire. Maybe we are all scarey...

[@rudyniosho2505]

He surely was backed by some powers! where did he get all these weapons and soldiers?

[@mattivirta]

@@Canada-1958 BOB menard africa hired lot many country UN soldiers lot my country soldier go to working mercenaires because has wery good salary. 1 year contract has make 1 million money. but later has lot cheapen contract all soldiers. i think too go to work here mercenaire but come boicot and not can travel to africa my country this time.and salary drop lot.and hired lot my friend french legion too to africa work. easy simple job has and make good money.

[@RealHexJoker]

what some call chaos others call order

[@CARL_093]

bob is a legend in taking down governments and real pro on being a merc

[@zippymufo9765]

A true Hero introducing civilization to primatives 👍

[@readytogo99]

Great job. Lives did not matter in his "sentencing" !

[@zulubeatz1]

At last African History and Affairs are accessible.

[@dougtheviking6503]

I understand the need for freedom from Colonialism. This is a well made Documentary. But ever since Colonialism ended in these countries. Communism, Dictatorship, Civil wars ,Unrest Ect. For the last 60 years . Sadly

[@Kfc1488]

Sounds more like a good reason for colonialism if you ask me

[@crossbearer6453]

@@Kfc1488 sounds like a good reason to have western governments not interfere in African affairs

[@feastguy101]

It was inevitable. Theyre just going through the same nation forming processes Europe went trough from the 15th to the 18th centuries.

[@originalbiggzzz3623]

Chuck Norris finally caught up with him

[@DukeCannon]

Was "Dogs of War" based on Bob?

[@formisfunction1861]

Why the modern vids of the 101st driving hum vees stateside? LOL!

[@CrimsonRaven51]

What was his relationship with Mike Hoare of 5 Commando?

[@TOFKAS01]

One of the last colonial despots...

[@chicofresh4396]

BROTHER DID YOU TOOK DOWN THE VIDEO ABOUT THE FRENCH POLITICIAN WHO WORKED FOR Jacques Chirac & other French presidents.

[@trinibagowaynecaribbean1611]

He should of been jailed in one of the African countries he worked to destabilize.

[@patrickformert8460]

Your story is correct but you miss, is captur in the Seychelles coup attempt

[@globaltruth6788]

10th comment, He'd have tried Uganda and taste fire. For even France can't DARE

[@IamGodSon]

Uganda?😂😂😂😂. You're joking right? He was in biafra- which is more fiery than Uganda by far.

[@globaltruth6788]

@@IamGodSon It's impossible, Since our 1st president through the notorious IDDI AMIN DADA To the current MUSEVENI, guns are the only way we change presidents. This would have been a good market for him, But he never tried because it would have been his end

[@IamGodSon]

@@globaltruth6788 other countries have worst dictators. The truth is that Ugandans, though suffering from war shock, are afraid of revolution. They should still go on the streets again. If bobi wine wants power he must lead a revolution. Gaining western popularity won't change a thing

[@corgi3293]

Admittedly, I’m barely paying attention to this, but my first impression of this guy is “con man”. I know someone who was offered a mercenary job decades ago in Portuguese Angola. He was offered an enormous amount of money for about two years of work - today’s equivalent of $2.2 million USD. He turned it down because he knew he wouldn’t get paid on account of the troops he’d be training would likely kill him.

[@anon2034]

Why wouldn't he get paid?

[@feastguy101]

@@anon2034it was either for UNITA or for the FNLA, and they were both a bunch of cheapskates

[@idontcareanymore2754]

Excellent job. If you make more about Mercenaries, please don't forget "Mad" Mike Hoare Roger Faulques and Jean "Blackjack" Schramme. Especially Rafal Gan-Ganowicz, when asked how it felt to kill another human " I wouldn't know, I've only ever killed Communists"

[@merlinlevi3902]

BOB DENARD WAS A MODERN DAT "EL CID"

[@jeangascogne1102]

Respect à Bob Denard "white boys summer" ^^

[@joanofarc33]

So much destructive intrigue.

[@thomasmitchell7645]

Denard's coup in support of Ahmed Abdullah occurred in 1978, not in 1976.

[@caraelizabeth7307]

Why in the world is a lullabye playing? It's very disconcerting and unexpected.

[@frostyanglo6120]

This guy has the Bronze Age Mindset

[@Prometheus7272]

Yes, CONQUEST, SOVEREIGNTY, LIKE LION 🦁

[@anon2034]

@@Prometheus7272 Wat means?

[@nadermazari3334]

Absolutely amazing! What a lethal comedy! I guess some folks do love the excitement of going into dangerous missions including combat. It does not appear that individuals like this do it just for money although money may be a motivator. Their genetics and disposition propels them to such a lifestyle.

[@Salman-sc8gr]

The latest tragedy of "heart attack" taking out Tanzanian and Burundi Presidents for refusing to join the corona circus must be investigated. There were other enemies too that President Magufuli had - court case against British mining company that has short changed Tanzania, his refusal to surrender to ridiculous conditions offered by Chinese to develop the Bagomoyo Port..

[@feastguy101]

It’s usually not a great idea to piss off all of the great powers at the same time.

[@naturallight4745]

*4.40 JEAN SCHRAMME:* Jean = read as Zja. Sch = Sh. No "K" sound. *E* in Schramme is read as *A.* Full name = *ZJA SHRAMMA.* Like the name *SEAN.* Written that way but read as *SHAWN.*

[@cedricliggins7528]

10:34

[@norbertschmitz3358]

4:12 Nice to see our currant Aussie $$$ in the 60 sixties.....hahaha

[@kraanz]

"I love mercenaries. I don't feel bad no matter what I do to them." -Marv, Sin City.

[@davidvanniekerk356]

Baie dankie/ Merci beaucoup. I recall Pres. PW Botha of the RSA (1978-1989) in 1987-isch that withdraw RSA money form the Comoros is BoD Denard don't leave. BoB was given the right to stay in the RSA...

[@MrThedreadman]

They are rebels and should be charged!

[@thomasmitchell7645]

First of all I have always heard his name pronounced DeNARD not DENard. Second, according to his first biographer, Pierre Lunel, Denard did not serve as a mercenary for Biafra having lost out to rival mercenary Rene Falques, but instead ran guns to Biafra from South Africa on a yacht that he had purchased for that purpose. Third, Denard was wounded in the head at the start of the mercenary revolt in the Congo in July 1967 not in Benin a decade later. The incident helped to inspire the ending for the novel "The Wild Geese," which was made into a very popular movie in 1978. Denard's attempt to support Schramme's mercenary revolt in September 1967 were farcical compared to Hoare's extraction of his mercenary force from the Seychelles airport in 1981. Denard caused havoc in Africa, whereas Hoare helped to stabilize Congo. It wasn't Hoare's fault that Mobutu Sese Seko made a mess of Congo/Zaire during his subsequent time as the ruling dictator.

[@junefreeman3788]

0:33 was that obasanjo former Nigerian president? wow plz fellow goodhearted pple help me take a closer look as well. thanks cos that'd be something!!!

[@notundermywatch3163]

It's Bob Denar (d) the d is silent

[@crookedpaths6612]

I wouldn’t call it an illustrious career maybe it was more a notorious career?

[@AfricanBiographics]

Yeah, I agree. I used the wrong word :(

[@archipiratta]

So Kerekou loved to coup... Who would've thought?