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Paramilitary Groups – 1997

The South African mercenaries belonging to Executive Outcomes were contracted by the government to protect the diamond mines from rebels and thieves. The exact number of mercenaries in the country is not clear, but according to one report, “they numbered 250 a little over a year ago when Freetown was within reach of Revolutionary United Front guns.” The BBC reported that troops from Executive Outcomes left Sierra Leone in late January or early February 1997.¹

1. “Executive Outcomes leaves Sierra Leone,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, February 5, 1997.