In 1959, the 2nd Commando Battalion had been deployed to the Belgian Congo to deal try to maintain order in the months leading up to independence.

In July 1960, the unit was sent to Goma to seize the airfield and one company was parachuted into Bunia to free hostages.

[2] In January 1961, a company of the battalion repelled an attack by the Congolese National Army on the town of Goma, losing one soldier.

[2] On the independence of Rwanda and Burundi, there was no longer possible to maintain an elite unit in Africa, and 4th Commando Battalion was though surplus to requirements.

[2] In the early 1970s, the 4th Commando Battalion was reactivated, comprising trained, reserve soldiers previously incorporated into other Para-Commando units.