The Unforgettable Saga of Sierra Leone

…The knowledge and experience shared by Lt Gen VK Jetley, is an add-on to the repository of information available on the UN peacekeeping operations and will contribute to our understanding of such missions. — General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff

“The Unforgettable Saga of Sierra Leone” is gripping first-hand account of Lt Gen VK Jetley, the Force Commander in the hot seat who experienced it all from ground zero. He heighlights the perils and pitfalls experienced by this Mission in the fulfilment of its mandate. The narrative is eloquent, gripping, concise and on target… — Air Chief Marshal V.R.Chaudhari

…The Force Commander and his team deserve special credit for fashioning the Force into a well oiled fighting machine in a very short while. The story of the struggle of the Mission against formidable odds is a must read for all peacekeepers as well as for the general public for them to understand the intricacies of UN peacekeeping operations… — Gen V.K. Singh, Governor Mizoram

*******************

‘The Unforgettable Saga of Sierra Leone’ is the ‘The story of a UN mission called UNAMSIL created at the turn of the century to bring peace to Sierra Leone. Despite being ill-equipped and under strength UNAMSIL deployed at the remotest extremities of the country as tasked. The perils and pitfalls of such a policy resulting in the price the Force had to pay for this, comes out in striking detail.

Between 01 May and 03 May, RUF rebels attacked the Kenyan and Zambian peacekeeper and surrounded the Indian peacekeepers. ‘The Unforgettable Saga of Sierra Leone’ brings out in stunning details the events that unfolded thereafter and how the mission, with meticulous planning, determination and courage, turned the defeat into victory. It brings out the acute command and control problems and that of the parallel channels of command that plagued the mission and hampered military operations. It also gives a first-hand account of regional and international intrigues at play in the affairs of Sierra Leone and why the UN is unable to get well equipped and well-trained troops for missions where active military operations are envisaged. In the end, it underlines the question of the relevance of the UN in its present avatar.