Experiences of British Intervention in Sierra Leone

This is the first of four substantive chapters presenting an analysis of findings from original data. It explores the emerging themes arising from the Sierra Leonean and British experience of the intervention in the civil war, focusing on events between 1997 and 2004. These dates were not pre-set prior to my fieldwork and have arisen from the data. Whilst this does pre-date Operation Palliser, it is contended that the British intervention into the civil war began prior to this, with actively supporting President Kabbah in exile and the diplomatic influencing of the international community to continue to support his government, rejecting that of Johnny Paul Koroma. Similarly, SSR, including the UK’s involvement in it, began in the 1990s and prior to the cessation of the conflict. The year 2004 also coincides with the (theoretical) handing of primary security responsibility back to the Sierra Leone government. Post-2004, the British focus shifts towards a development phase, rather than security, and the medium to long-term impacts of their involvement begin to arise (see Chap. 3 ). Data gathered from both Sierra Leonean and British participants is presented to enable discussion on the relationship between the differing, or similar, views rather than treating them in isolation. Where possible, knowledge claims are made by first introducing the literature as conceptual establishment, before providing an original interpretation based on the primary data and voices of those on the ground. This enables further insight into the links between theory and practice, discourse and experience. The common theme linking the various sections contained within the chapter is that of personal experiences. The most significant analytic attention is given to SSR, as participants focus heavily on this. How the British intervention is experienced in comparison with that of ECOMOG and UNAMSIL is also discussed, and throughout the chapter runs the central thread of sustainability. Elements of this chapter, and the following chapter, may seem as though centred upon ‘myth busting’. This was not the initial intention, however, so little of participants’ experiences are reflected in scholarly literature and, at several junctures, run counter to the dominant narratives surrounding the British (military) intervention in Sierra Leone.