Citation

Varin C. Afr. Secur. Rev. 2018; 27(2): 144-157.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Institute for Security Studies, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/10246029.2018.1489863

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Since the 2003 war in Iraq, private military and security companies (PMSCs) have become increasingly legitimate actors in modern conflicts. Despite this normative shift, rumours in March 2015 regarding the use of South African mercenaries in Nigeria to combat Boko Haram insurgents caused an international outrage, while the Nigerian government remained nonchalantly silent on the matter. This article investigates the impact of mercenaries on the conflict in the last six months of the Jonathan government. Using primary and secondary qualitative research, it assesses the role that PMSCs played in Nigeria's counterinsurgency strategy, along with the ensuing reaction of international and local media to the outsourcing of violence to foreign companies. The article concludes that - notwithstanding the improved image of PMSCs in the world, and the actual impact of the contractors on the Nigerian counterinsurgency effort - the stigma of mercenaries continues to plague the industry, particularly on the African continent.

Language: en

Keywords

Africa; Boko Haram; civil war; private military and security companies; private military companies