Executive Outcomes: A Mercenary Army For Hire In South Africa | The War Business (1997) | Full Film
Journeyman Pictures・40 minutes read
Mercenaries like Executive Outcomes engage in high-risk operations for profit, securing valuable resources in conflict zones, while facing legal and ethical scrutiny for their actions. Despite their efficiency, concerns arise about the ethics and human rights implications of profit-driven military operations.
Insights
- Private armies, like Executive Outcomes led by Tony Buckingham, operate illegally but receive backing from influential Western figures, engaging in securing valuable resources such as diamond mines in Sierra Leone and oil bases in Angola.
- Concerns over the ethical implications of profit-driven mercenary actions, exemplified by Executive Outcomes and Sandline, highlight potential human rights compromises in conflict zones, sparking debates on the legality and morality of employing mercenaries for military operations.
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Recent questions
What is the role of Executive Outcomes in Sierra Leone?
Executive Outcomes, a mercenary army led by Tony Buckingham, played a crucial role in securing valuable diamond mines in Sierra Leone. They were pivotal in capturing diamond and oil fields from rebel armies, showcasing the influence of private military companies in conflict zones.
Who is Tony Buckingham and what is his connection to Sandline?
Tony Buckingham, a multimillionaire and ex-British Special Forces member, heads the mining and mercenary network. He is associated with Sandline, a company offering military services, highlighting his involvement in the private military industry and its controversial operations.
What controversy surrounds the involvement of mercenaries in Papua New Guinea?
Mercenaries from Executive Outcomes, subcontracted by Sandline, were involved in Operation Oyster in Papua New Guinea amid civil unrest. This led to legal charges and political controversies, with allegations of enriching local politicians and sophisticated sales tactics, raising ethical concerns about the use of private military companies in conflicts.
How did the Bougainville crisis involve Executive Outcomes?
The Bougainville crisis saw Executive Outcomes contracted to defeat rebels and reclaim a copper mine in Papua New Guinea. This resulted in legal charges and political controversies, shedding light on the complex and contentious nature of employing mercenaries in conflict resolution.
What impact did the involvement of mercenaries have on the government of Papua New Guinea?
The involvement of mercenaries in Papua New Guinea led to widespread protests against the government due to a scandal involving revolutionary groups in the gold mining industry. This ultimately resulted in the government admitting a link between the mine and mercenaries, causing public outrage and political turmoil in the country.
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Summary
00:00
"Mercenaries in Africa: Diamond Wars and Controversies"
- The American version is the first to depict three individuals killed and eaten by rebels en route to recall a gang of two.
- A gunship with an automatic grenade launcher and 20mm cannon flies from Johannesburg to Sierra Leone, carrying arms and soldiers for modern mercenaries.
- Executive Outcomes, a mercenary army, secures valuable diamond mines in Sierra Leone, pivotal in capturing diamond and oil fields from rebel armies.
- Tony Buckingham, a multimillionaire and ex-British Special Forces, heads the mining and mercenary network, with Sandline offering military services.
- Private armies like Executive Outcomes, though illegal under the Geneva Convention, receive support from powerful Western figures.
- Buckingham orchestrates military operations to secure diamond concessions worth over $1 billion, with ties to Angola, Uganda, Russia, and Congo.
- Mercenaries from Executive Outcomes operate in high-risk areas, armed and unaccountable, as shown in a revealing video diary from Angola.
- Operation Oyster in Papua New Guinea, subcontracted by Sandline, involves training armed forces amid civil unrest and opposition to mercenaries.
- The Bougainville crisis sees Executive Outcomes contracted to defeat rebels and reclaim a copper mine, leading to legal charges and political controversies.
- Troops in Papua New Guinea face off against mercenaries, with allegations of enriching local politicians and sophisticated sales tactics revealed in correspondence.
19:46
Protests in Papua New Guinea over scandal
- Ordinary Papua New Guinea people are protesting against the government due to a scandal involving revolutionary groups in the gold mining industry.
- Protesters are surrounding the Parliament, preventing MPs from leaving until the Government resigns.
- During a debate, the government admits a link between the mine and mercenaries, contradicting previous denials.
- Tim Spicer denies interest in the Panguna mine but mentions assisting with funding and mineral concessions.
- The contract with mercenaries included helicopter gunships, rockets, and high-tech surveillance equipment, with rumors of even deadlier munitions.
- Sandline is suing the PNG government for $20 million, but the new Prime Minister refuses to pay without parliamentary approval.
- Colonel Tim Spicer, associated with mercenaries, stays in the British High Commission during the crisis.
- Spicer admits working for Tony Buckingham, who controls valuable assets in Angola, including diamonds.
- Executive Outcomes, a mercenary group, played a significant role in Angola, capturing oil bases and protecting installations.
- Mary, a widow of a mercenary, faces difficulties with Executive Outcomes after her husband's death, including demands for payment for a death certificate.
37:53
Mercenaries' Phosphorous Bombing Shocks Mumbo City
- Phosphorous bombing evidence in Mumbo City by MiGs
- Mercenaries Air Wing success in turning the tide of war
- Uncontrolled freedom for destruction by South African pilots
- Unexploded phosphorous bombs found easily in Wamba
- Targeting of rebel leader Savimbi's house with pinpoint accuracy
- BBC reports 70 elderly deaths in town attack, mostly women and children
- Recruitment of mercenaries by multinational oil companies for security
- Executive Outcomes' involvement in Angola's diamond fields
- Evidence of global network of companies linked to Executive Outcomes
- South African parliament proposing a law to penalize mercenaries fighting for money
57:25
Private Contractors Train Armies, Ethical Concerns Arise
- Governments worldwide utilize private contractors to train client governments' armies, with Tim Spicer emphasizing his soldiers' adherence to the Geneva Convention, although he lacks clarity on the specific convention referenced.
- Despite the efficiency of companies like Executive Outcomes and Sandline in military operations, concerns arise regarding the ethical implications of profit-driven actions, potentially compromising human rights in conflict zones.
