'More Conflict, More Money': Mercenary Leader Says West Not Interested in Peace in Africa

TEHRAN (Defapress)-The Western nations see prolonged African wars and chaos as just a means to get their hand on the rich African resources, Eeben Barlow, the founder of Executive Outcomes, the South African firm that started a private soldier boom.

“As long as there is conflict on the go, certain deals can be struck with governments”, which allow foreign powers to “get hold on these resources for own use”, he stated.

Barlow went on to say that foreign and particularly the Western powers often opt for supporting armed groups or various forces that actually destabilize the situation in the region as “rebels do not have to provide any taxation to whoever mines resources within the areas". The anti-government groups are also eagerly used as a means to “replace a certain government that is not compliant enough with the wishes of those that are outside driving these actions”.

As for the foreign advisors to the governmental forces, the quality of training and advice they provide to the African authorities is usually “poor”, the former lieutenant-colonel of the South African Defence Force complained.

“Most African armies are being set up to fail by … foreign armed forces or foreign advisers that they make use of,” he stressed.

The foreign private military companies (PMCs) are usually only just “are out to see how long they can actually prolong a conflict or a war because the longer that goes on, the more money they make for themselves," Barlow said, adding that he “does believe” that many “foreign forces in Africa are here not to solve problems but to ensure that the problems continue”.

When the African governments try to use local forces, including the African PMCs, to help them deal with conflicts, terrorist groups or insurgencies, “they are continually threatened that … it will be to their disadvantage”.

“These are threats that come from beyond Africa. And it is really just a proof to us that a stable and secure Africa appears to be in very few people’s interests,” Barlow stated.

message end/