Miniature cross pattée with six arms, the upper left, upper right and lower arms of red enamel, the alternate arms of white enamel, with silvered rays between the arms and with a green laurel wreath imposed, with eyelet and five-pointed faceted star for a civil award with loop for ribbon suspension; the face with a circular central green enamel medallion bearing the arms of the Republic of Zaire within a silvered ring inscribed ‘JUSTICE PAIX TRAVAIL’ (Justice Peace Work - the national motto of Zaire); the reverse with a circular central silvered medallion inscribed ‘ORDRE / DU / ZAÏRE’; diameter 15.06mm (0.59 inch); on original ribbon mounted for wear in the Belgian and French style. The Order was instituted by the Democratic Republic of the Congo on 2 December 1968 as the National Order of Zaire in five classes to be awarded to both military and civilians, Congolese and foreigners for service to the state and was awarded in the form seen in this example during the rule of President Mobutu, the country having been renamed Zaire, from 27 October 1971 to 17 May 1997. Today it is the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s third most senior Order and nominations and promotions take place on 24 November each year.
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