Sierra Leone Arms Investigation

The Sierra Leone Arms Investigation, commonly referred to as the Legg Inquiry, was an independent inquiry led by Sir Thomas Legg. The investigation was initiated to scrutinize the allegations of illegal arms trading to Sierra Leone during its civil war, particularly focusing on the UK government's involvement.

The inquiry delved into the circumstances surrounding the alleged supply of arms to the government of President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah, who was fighting to regain control after being ousted by the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels. At the heart of the inquiry were reports that a shipment of arms had been sent to Sierra Leone in 1998, despite a United Nations arms embargo being in place.

One of the key aspects of the investigation was the role of Sandline International, a private military company, which was reportedly involved in the arms shipment. The inquiry examined whether the UK government had knowledge of or was complicit in these actions. It also investigated the communication between various government departments and Sandline International, and whether proper channels and protocols were followed.

The inquiry revealed significant lapses in communication and coordination among government officials and departments. It highlighted that while there was no conclusive evidence of deliberate wrongdoing or direct authorization of the arms shipment by high-level officials, there were undeniable failures in oversight and accountability. These failures contributed to the perception that the UK government might have been indirectly involved in breaching the UN arms embargo.

The findings of the inquiry resulted in several recommendations aimed at improving the transparency and accountability of government actions related to arms trading and international conflicts. Although the exact number of recommendations was not specified, the focus was on ensuring stricter adherence to international laws and embargos, enhancing inter-departmental communication, and establishing clearer guidelines for private military companies operating in conflict zones.

The inquiry took about 6 months to complete and brought to light the complexities and challenges associated with international arms trade and the role of private military companies. It underscored the necessity for robust oversight mechanisms to prevent similar incidents in the future and to uphold the integrity of international arms embargoes.

In one sentence: The Sierra Leone Arms Investigation, led by Sir Thomas Legg, scrutinized the UK's alleged involvement in illegal arms trading during the Sierra Leone civil war, revealing significant lapses in government oversight and resulting in recommendations to enhance transparency and accountability.