Britain Deploys Amphibious Task Force to Sierra Leone Amid UN Peacekeeping Concerns

Strategic Insights -

As the international community intensifies efforts to quell the conflict in Sierra Leone, Britain has announced a significant deployment of military forces to the West African nation. A six-ship amphibious task force with 600 Royal Marines, including 42 Commando on board HMS Ocean, will be diverted from Gibraltar to Sierra Leone, joining an existing 400-strong British contingent. The presence of a strike force offshore is intended to demonstrate Britain's willingness to intervene promptly if rebel militia launch a concerted attack on government forces or UN peacekeepers.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Royal Navy's Amphibious Ready Group, consisting of HMS Ocean, HMS Fearless, and four support vessels, will be sent to Sierra Leone as a rapid reaction force, with 600 Royal Marines on board, including 42 Commando.
  • The deployment will bring the total number of British personnel in Sierra Leone and offshore to approximately 2,300.
  • The Royal Marines will only disembark if a crisis necessitates a rapid reaction force to augment the UN Mission in Sierra Leone (Unamsil).
  • The decision to send the Amphibious Ready Group is to be announced by Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon in the Commons and reflects Britain's commitment to providing an "over-the-horizon" rapid reaction force, as per a memorandum of understanding signed with the UN.
  • The timing of the deployment is significant, coming as the international community expresses concerns over the proposed departure of 3,000 Indian and 1,800 Jordanian peacekeepers from the UN mission.
  • The presence of the British task force is also aimed at pressuring the main rebel force, the Revolutionary United Front, to cease fighting, following signs that their principal backer, President Taylor of Liberia, is relinquishing control over them.

Statistics:

  • 2,300: The total number of British personnel in Sierra Leone and offshore after the deployment of the Amphibious Ready Group.
  • 600: The number of Royal Marines on board the HMS Ocean, including 42 Commando.
  • 400: The number of British troops already stationed in Sierra Leone.
  • 300: The number of British troops training the Sierra Leone Army.
  • 100: The number of British personnel serving on the Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel, RFA Sir Percivale, docked in Freetown.
  • 3,000: The number of Indian peacekeepers contributing to the UN mission in Sierra Leone, which is set to withdraw.
  • 1,800: The number of Jordanian peacekeepers contributing to the UN mission in Sierra Leone, also set to withdraw.

Sources:

  • The Times, "Britain Deploys Amphibious Task Force to Sierra Leone Amid UN Peacekeeping Concerns", 2000
  • Memorandum of Understanding between Britain and the UN, signed in 1999.