 In addition to the other land forces , President Joseph Kabila also has a Republican Guard presidential force ( Garde Républicaine or GR ) , formerly known as the Special Presidential Security Group ( <unk> ) . FARDC military officials state that the Garde Républicaine is not the responsibility of FARDC , but of the Head of State . Apart from Article 140 of the Law on the Army and Defence , no legal stipulation on the DRC 's Armed Forces makes provision for the GR as a distinct unit within the national army . In February 2005 President Joseph Kabila passed a decree which appointed the GR 's commanding officer and " repealed any previous provisions contrary " to that decree . The GR , more than 10 @,@ 000 strong ( the ICG said 10 @,@ 000 to 15 @,@ 000 in January 2007 ) , has better working conditions and is paid regularly , but still commits rapes and robberies in the vicinity of its bases . 
