Zaire wider campaign of , ridding the country of the influences from the colonial era of the Belgian Congo, was also launched under Mobutu's direction. Weakened by the end of American support after the end of the Cold War, Mobutu was forced to declare a new republic in 1990 to cope with demands for change. By the time of its downfall, Mobutu's rule was characterised by widespread cronyism, corruption and economic mismanagement. Zaire collapsed in the 1990s, amid the destabilization of the eastern parts of the state in the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide and growing ethnic violence. In 1996, ,
27th Armoured Brigade Division, which concentrated the various specialised armour units. On 20 October 1943 27th Armoured Brigade became an independent GHQ formation, and was attached to the 3rd Infantry Division to spearhead I Corps' landing at Sword on D-Day in June 1944. Commanders The brigade was assigned a crucial role in the Normandy landings. 13/18th Hussars, equipped with M4 Sherman DD amphibious tanks, would accompany the initial assault on Sword by 3rd Division's 8th Brigade Group, while the rest of 27th Armoured Bde would support the division's follow-up attacks towards Caen. On the morning of D-Day the sea was rough and 27th