Language
Country/Area
No result found
The secret creation of executive consequence: Why do former military officers in South Africa choose to set up private military companies?
The rise of private military companies (PMCs) over a quarter century of South African history reveals the complex relationship between international conflict and economic interests. This trend is epitomized by Executive Outcomes (EO), a company founded in 1989 by Eeben Barlow, a former colonel in the South African Defence Force. Before the establishment of this company, South Africa was entering a period of transition and its traditional military forces were facing dissolution and reorganization. Now that EO has been created again, what exactly drove this former military officer to once again get involved in this gray area?
"The balance between economic benefits and stability often makes the privatization of military forces an attractive option."
Background and Formation
After the end of the South African Border War in 1989, the then apartheid regime began massive cuts in military personnel. With the transition of the South African regime, more and more soldiers lost their positions. Faced with the risk of unemployment, they turned to look for new ways out. The establishment of EO is based on this change in human resources.
EO's founder, Eeben Barlow, understood that many members who had served in the South African Special Forces had lost their jobs due to changes in the political situation. EO quickly found opportunities in this market, attracted a large number of former officers and soldiers, and began to focus on providing professional military training and operations for customers. When EO successfully trained Angolan government troops to fight the opposition, the company's reputation quickly grew and it began to receive military contracts from other countries.
"EO's actions demonstrate that the proper use of human resources and military technology can create a new balance in the rapidly changing political situation in Africa."
Main Activities
EO's first operations were in Angola, a country challenged by a civilian armed group. EO entered the war to support Chinese investment and won the trust of the government by gaining control of the situation, successfully repelling the opposition's attacks. This strategy not only secured funding, but also established EO as a combat expert.
As the company's operations expanded, EO entered Sierra Leone in 1995 to confront the country's violent insurgent group, the Revolutionary United Front (RUF). EO performed well in this conflict, successfully stabilizing the situation and regaining control of the diamond fields. However, in the end, facing international pressure, EO was forced to withdraw.
"In different countries, EO's choice of action reflects the delicate interweaving of geopolitical and commercial interests."
Restart and Outlook
In 2020, Eeben Barlow restarted EO. As the company's founder, he mentioned that requests from some African countries prompted his decision to re-establish the once-famous military institution. This time, the EO's mission seems to be broader and not limited to traditional military operations, but also includes "exposing media and intelligence agencies that use false reports to gain benefits."
This restart action has attracted attention from all walks of life. Many people began to wonder whether this means that the international community's demand for private military companies is increasing? In the ever-changing global situation, to what extent can modern private military companies influence geopolitics, and what impact does their existence have on real national security?
"How will the new generation of PMCs like EO reshape the future international security landscape?"
The delicate balance between democracy and the military, shifts in business models, and how governments respond to these emerging forces are all important factors that will influence future developments. The newly emerging forces and their goals in the modern international order may become one of the determining factors in future international politics. How will these private military companies evolve in the future, and what impact will they have on the world?
