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United Kingdom

British Military Involvement in Sierra Leone Deepens Amid Mission Creep Concerns

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The deployment of a naval amphibious taskforce off the west African coast has raised questions about the extent of British military involvement in Sierra Leone, despite denials of "mission creep" by the government. British troops have been in the country for several months, and the arrival of a taskforce consisting of the helicopter carrier HMS Ocean, the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious, and several frigates, has sparked concerns that the mission may be open-ended.

Key Takeaways:

  • The British government has denied any plans to deploy combat troops in Sierra Leone, despite the arrival of a taskforce with 600 Royal Marines and an artillery battery on board.
  • The taskforce gives the UK commander "much greater flexibility than ground forces allow," according to Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon, who also stated that there are no plans to bring facilities or men ashore.
  • The deployment of the taskforce is seen as a precautionary measure, with officials telling The Guardian that it provides "flexibility for other options."
  • The government hopes that the arrival of UN reinforcements - 1,400 troops from India, Jordan, and Bangladesh - will enable Britain to avoid an open-ended commitment in Sierra Leone.
  • Shadow Foreign Secretary Francis Maude has called for an inquiry into the government's handling of the crisis, citing concerns that the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) leader Foday Sankoh was given government posts as part of a peace agreement.
  • Liberal Democrat Defence Spokesman Menzies Campbell has expressed concerns that British forces are in for a "much longer period" in Sierra Leone than previously admitted, and that the government must spell out the "precise nature of the political and military objective."

Statistics:

  • 600 Royal Marines and an artillery battery are on board the helicopter carrier HMS Ocean.
  • The aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious is equipped with Sea Harriers and six landing craft.
  • 1,400 troops from India, Jordan, and Bangladesh are expected to arrive as UN reinforcements.
  • The UN force in Sierra Leone numbers 9,000, with a mandate that limits troops to firing in self-defence.
  • The British taskforce consists of at least four ships: the helicopter carrier HMS Ocean, the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious, and the frigates Cumberland, Chatham, and Argyll.

Sources:

  • Byline: Richard Norton-Taylor
  • British military source quoted by Reuters
  • BBC Radio 4's World This Weekend
  • The Guardian
  • BBC1's Breakfast with Frost
  • Francis Maude, Shadow Foreign Secretary (The Guardian)
  • Menzies Campbell, Liberal Democrat Defence Spokesman (The Guardian)

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