External forces hinder peace effort in Sierra Leone

By Atul Aneja

FREETOWN, JULY 26. India and Nigeria, which are spearheading the U.N. efforts to bring Sierra Leone's warring factions back to the negotiating table, are encountering a variety of external forces which have repeatedly destabilised this resource-rich West African state in the past.

These powerful forces, which have penetrated Sierra Leone's faction-ridden elite, have been primarily driven by the lure of diamonds and the need to establish a firm hold over the reserves. Well-armed mercenaries do the job for them. Some countries in the region, however, have been more open in declaring their interests and have intervened directly.

The interplay of external influences has been visible in the tussle for power between the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), the country's key rebel group, and the government forces. The RUF has been consistently supported by Liberia. Neighbouring Nigeria has militarily intervened, mainly as part of a multinational force, since the last seven years. Other countries, however, have extended their influence less visibly. In several instances, the `security firms' operating in the region for money have helped these countries establish their presence.

South Africa's security firm Executive Outcomes (EO), for instance, has played a key role in keeping out the RUF from the capital, Freetown. Run by Mr. Eeeban Barlow, formerly of the 32nd battalion of the South African Special Force, the EO rescued the government of the former Sierra Leonean ruler, Cap. Valentine Straser, in 1995 when the RUF was mere 24 km from Freetown. The EO and later its subsidiary, Lifeguard, has worked with Nigerian troops to keep the RUF at bay.

Britain has been another prominent player on the Sierra Leonean scene, though its overt presence was evident only recently when it landed a shipload of its forces in Freetown. British security firms have, however, been operating more openly in the country since the early nineties. Britain's Sandline International, along with South Africa's EO, has countered the RUF's foray towards Freetown and some of the key mining areas in the past.The Canadians, the Lebanese and the Israelis have been some of the other prominent players drawn. The Canadian firm, Diamond Works, has been engaged in exploiting the reserves since the mid-90s under the alleged protection of EO and Sandline.

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Section  : International
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