Subcontracting military power: The privatisation of security in contemporary Sub-Saharan Africa

This article seeks to establish a clear difference between the classical vi ew of mercenaries as hired guns and the more recent, business oriented, phe nomenon of private security companies. The limitations of the definitions c urrently used in international law will be explored and their impact on the control of private military forces assessed. The article will then go on t o identify the particular circumstances existing in Africa that provide suc h a fertile environment for the operation of private security companies. Th e activities of Executive Outcomes and Sandline International Ltd will be u sed as case studies, particularly their operations in Sierra Leone. Their c orporate connections will be highlighted, especially their links to mineral extraction companies, and how these are used to finance their operations b y the host countries. Finally, recent attempts to legislate to control the activities of these companies are examined.