Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book provides a background history of Sierra Leone that covers the period from its creation to the signing of the Lom Peace Agreement in 1999. It analyses the period from the signing of the Lom Peace Agreement and the deployment of the United Nations peacekeeping mission (UNAMSIL) to the crisis that led to the rebellion of the main rebel group the RUF and the initial response of the international community. The book examines the impact of the seizure of the Royal Irish Regiment seized by the WSB. It analyses how the crisis unfolded, the response of the British government. It considers the impact of the operation in terms of the impact on the Blair Government, the subsequent impact on British defence and security policy and the lessons drawn in terms of British defence policy.