On this day 10 years ago, the leader of Sierra Leone’s rebel Revolutionary United Front forces was captured as part of a successful British intervention in the civil war which had lasted for 9 years. The RUF were well known for their forced recruitment of child soldiers and their unspeakable acts of brutality including maiming victims and severing limbs. Charles Taylor, Liberia’s former president, is currently on trial for war crimes because of his alleged support for the RUF.
The most surprising aspect of Operation Palliser, the British intervention in 2000, is that the British force of 800 paratroopers had been ordered simply to arrive in Freetown, secure the airport, and evacuate British and other foreigners over a period of 7 to 10 days before leaving the country to its fate. When Brigadier David Richards arrived in Freetown, he decided to ignore the orders and chance his arm at something a bit more ambitious.
The locals saw the British as saviours, and that is what they decided to be. Rather than remaining neutral, the British forces took the Sierra Leone government’s side and quickly overran the rebel forces. The operation ended a month later, although a further 18 months elapsed before the civil war was concluded. Brigadier David Richards is now General Sir David Richards, the head of the British Army.