Bob Denard

Colonel Bob Denard (April 7, 1929 – October 13, 2007), born Gilbert Bourgeaud, was a French soldier and mercenary. He was known for having done various jobs in support of Françafrique (a term referring to France's sphere of influence in its former colonies) for Jacques Foccart, in charge of French president Charles de Gaulle's policy in Africa. Having fought in Algeria during the Algerian War, he then took part in the Katanga secession in the 1960s and fought in many African countries including Congo, Angola, Rhodesia (today Zimbabwe) and Gabon. Between 1975 and 1995, he participated in four coups in the Comoro Islands. It is widely believed that his adventures had the implicit support of the French state, even after the 1981 election of the French Socialist Party candidate, François Mitterrand, despite moderate changes in France's policy in Africa. He was the father of eight children and had been married seven times (polygamously), after converting to Islam.