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I saw active service in conventional, clandestine and covert units of the South African Defence Force. I was the founder of the Private Military Company (PMC) Executive Outcomes in 1989 and its chairman until I left in 1997. Until its closure in 1998, EO operated primarily in Africa helping African governments that had been abandoned by the West and were facing threats from insurgencies, terrorism and organised crime. EO also operated in South America and the Far East. I believe that only Africans (Black and White) can truly solve Africa’s problems. I was appointed Chairman of STTEP International in 2009 and also lecture at military colleges and universities in Africa on defence, intelligence and security issues. Prior to the STTEP International appointment, I served as an independent politico-military advisor to several African governments. Until recently, I was a contributing editor to The Counter Terrorist magazine. All comments in line with the topics on this blog are welcome. As I consider this to be a serious look at military and security matters, foul language and political or religious debates will not be entertained on this blog.

Friday, February 11, 2011

WARNING AGAINST JOINING PLANNED COUP

I have been informed that a coup is being organised and planned in a West African country. Added to this is the claim that “the Head Honcho of EO” is behind this effort.

I have warned numerous people in the past that any such planned military action is illegal. I am not, have never been and will not be, involved in any such efforts.

Furthermore, the South African government is involved in extensive mediation efforts in that country and it would be not only illegal to interfere but also obstructive and counterproductive.

Anybody who gets involved in this thinking that I am behind it or that it is in any way officially sanctioned are doing so at their own extreme risk.

I would like to call on anyone who has any additional information to please contact me so that we can publically expose these actions.

19 comments:

Eeben Barlow's Milsec Blog said...

Well Anon, as far as compromising the operation goes; perhaps some thought should have been given to the possible fallout by trying to implicate me? Perhaps you can share your thoughts with us why you would wish to use my name – assuming it was me that was referred to as the “Head Honcho of EO”.

It is not my place to judge the SA government’s intervention plans in Ivory Coast. History will do that.

I also think that you need to have your language checked. It is obvious that whoever contracted you was an idiot as you seem unable to string two words together without a curse in-between.

It is prats like you and your ilk that give soldiers, ex-soldiers and PMCs a bad name. I for one am sick and tired at being dragged into every Tom, Dick and Harry’s bar room scheme.

Get a life.

Eeben

Unknown said...

You are to be applauded for exposing the latest Z-grade movie coup plot originating on Southern African soil.
Please continue to use your status as the Godfather of PMCs to campaign against coups.
The African Continent has enough challenges without the interference of these Klifdrift-and-Coke mercenaries who give all ex-soldiers who do private military work a very bad reputation.

Eeben Barlow's Milsec Blog said...

Thank you, Chris.

I have nothing against the provision of military/security and counter-crime training to legitimate governments but I have a major problem with these “Klipdrift-and-Coke mercenaries” who like to falsely implicate others in their madcap dreams and so doing, create a nightmare for everybody.

I feel that I have a responsibility to prevent people being lured into activities that may either get them killed or imprisoned.

Rgds,

Eeben

Mike Da Silva said...

WHO COMMENTS AS ANON? STRANGE NAME THAT? IT SEEMS THAT IT WAS NOT A WELL KEPT SECRET TO START WITH SO I DOUBT YOU UPSET THE APPLE CART. HELL EVEN I WATCH TELEVISION AND COULD SEE THAT SOMETHING IS BREWING IN THE IVORY COAST. ANON NEEDS TO EXTRACATE HIS HEAD FROM HIS ARSE AND TAKE A DEEP WIFF OF THE REALITY OF THE WORLD HE IS IN AND STOP PRETENDING TO BE RAMBO`S COUSIN. HE AINT, HE IS JUST ANOTHER STUPID WANNA BE WARRIOR WHO TRIES TO SCORE WITH CHICKS IN BARS REGALING THEM WITH HIS FANTASIES OF BEING SOME SORT OF UNIVERSAL SOLDIER. MAYBE HE SHOULD GO TO THE IVORY COAST AND GET HIMSELF KILLED AND SAVE US ALL THE AGGRAVATION.

Eeben Barlow's Milsec Blog said...

I couldn’t have said it better, Mike.

Commenting as “Anon” is, in this instance, a mark of cowardice as wide as the ocean. I do get comments from others calling themselves "Anon" but they make sense and I respect their desire to keep their identities private.

But, perhaps he is the hero in his own movie. From his poorly constructed comment, riddled with foul language (yes, I too swear but not on public forums) and political statements, he indeed seems to be one the illiterates roaming around thinking they are field marshals.

Rgds,

Eeben

tyhz1995 said...

Hello again Mr. Barlow. Given all that has happened (truth and reconciliation) in the many preceding years and the shift of powers. Might not Nigeria enter into something like this making the consequences severe. Security is obviously poor ensuring doom from the outset.-Regards Tyler

Tango said...

Hi Eeben,
Just a note,nothing related to your current posting.
Hoping you are keeping well.
Just felt taking a bit of a blast to the past and found this link on South African history !

http://flecha.co.uk/

We salute them all....Unbelievable at the time!

Regards
Tango

matt said...

Stunning. It blows me away that clowns like this thought they could get away with a coup operation with such poor OPSEC.

Or get away with throwing your name and organization around like this? Idiots. Hell, they should thank you for shutting down an operation that probably would have either killed them or placed them in a prison for a very long time. Obviously they haven't read the history on such things....

Eeben Barlow's Milsec Blog said...

I do not really know the political machinations of West Africa, Tyler so it is a difficult one to answer.

As I was taught many years ago “The best plan with no security is the worst plan”.

Rgds,

Eeben

Eeben Barlow's Milsec Blog said...

Yes, every time I visit that site I miss the many good men I met there whilst being a part of it, Tango.

Sadly time marches on and we will never be able to regain that which was lost. But Cobus started something to keep the memory alive.

Rgds,

Eeben

Eeben Barlow's Milsec Blog said...

History seems to be forgotten by those who desperately need to know about it, Matt.

Isn’t it ironic how OPSEC seems to have no place in some of these so-called missions? Had I or EO not been implicated in this, I would most probably have been unaware of it – until it went wrong. Then of course some in the media would have spent days writing about how I fluffed it up – and then simply rehashed their previous lies about EO.

Far more serious is that these clowns don’t seem to think how their actions impact on others working on the continent.

Rgds,

Eeben

Unknown said...

Hi eeben. I just had a fantastic idea for your "pal" anon and his uber stealthy coup plot. We have all heard of conflict diamonds and seen the film blood diamond. I propose that anon go into cahoots with cadbury's, beacon and ferrero rocher to fund his supreme plot to put an end to the dastardly trade in conflict chocolate! As is common knowledge, ivory coasts biggest export crop is cocoa beans. After single handedly saving the chocolate industry, anon can sell his script to universal pictures and then write, direct, technically advise and star in his own film titled "blood chocolate" or maybe "blood bon bon". He can be the saviour of all chocoholics. Have you heard from anon since his last little temper tantrum? Have a good day. Mike.

Eeben Barlow's Milsec Blog said...

I was thinking of exactly the same thing the other day, Mike. Since the discovery of “blood diamonds”, we have “blood oil”, “blood gold”, blood silver” and now even “blood chocolate”. Anon and his merry men are surely the advance guard in a major plot to seize control over conflict chocolate.

I am sure that your suggestion that he “write, direct, technically advise and star in his own film titled "blood chocolate" or maybe "blood bon bon" is something they are (secretly) discussing at very low level.

The prat has not come back with a riposte – I am sure he is busy thinking how to word it for maximum effect.

Rgds,

Eeben

matt said...

Hilarious! Blood Bon Bons?

Eeben Barlow's Milsec Blog said...

Perhaps this is something you should follow up on your blog, Matt?

Despite the humour, Mike is quite correct as everything is now “blood” or “conflict” – and as we all waffle about the political correctness of how to fight a war or conflict without infringing on the human rights of the enemy, they just get stronger and more brazen.

Rgds,

Eeben

userdude said...

Hello Eeben,

C'est la vie. Sorry for you troubles. If anyone believes in such preposterous stories, I suppose they get what's coming to them. And I would just say, whoever posted the original comment/post that prompted all this, I'm not seeing it. So I suppose the effect is minimal, except in the comments here.

I hope no one believes you're seriously making plans to take over [you fill in the blank]. Usually reality takes over.

Thanks!
Jared

userdude said...

Hello Eeben,

I figured you would enjoy the sentiment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpYVfHTajOg

No matter the provenance, we all are just trying to make the next day/night. I thought you would enjoy this one.

Thanks!
Jared

Eeben Barlow's Milsec Blog said...

I am getting a thrill exposing these people Jared, as I am sick and tired of being associated with things I had no idea about. I am equally thrilled that some governments are starting to check up on these “wannabees”.

I didn’t post the original comment due to numerous reasons – foul language and blasphemy being but 2 of them.

It is time some people (including some journalists who seem to imply they are experts on me/EO) come to realise that I never supported coups, never have supported them and never will support them. Any implications otherwise will at some stage reach my ears and I shall expose them for the liars they are.

Rgds,

Eeben

Eeben Barlow's Milsec Blog said...

Thank you for the link Jared. That was very touching indeed – and sad.

Rgds,

Eeben