Private companies are increasingly becoming involved in essential military and security services throughout Africa. Driven by critical need these 'Military Service Providers' (MSPs) are supporting peace-keeping operations, training coast guards and militaries, providing security for mineral extraction ventures in war zones, assisting in post-conflict ordnance disposal, and offering vital protection for humanitarian operations.

Although MSPs generally maintain a low profile, and are considered controversial by many, the benefits they provide for Africa can be enormous. MSPs provide security that makes marginal business ventures possible, their mine-clearing operations help to encourage investment in post-conflict states, and their training of state militaries reduces the chances of coups and enhances regional peace-keeping operations. But it is in those peace operations that MSPs offer the greatest potential benefits.

UN and regional peace-keeping operations in Africa have an ugly history of ineffectiveness and collapse, but now a number of MSPs that have been providing peace support services are keen to step in and take a more pro-active role training and deploying their own soldiers to provide much more effective and robust peace-keepers. And they have an impressive base of political support, support that is growing internationally.

Donor countries have been frustrated at the ineffectiveness of UN peace-keeping operations and are understandably reluctant to support floundering missions. Sierra Leone stands out as a tragic example: almost 10,000 troops have been deployed in the country but have done little to bring peace there. MSPs and even many foreign policy experts are convinced that private peace-keeping could end the war in less than four months with the same mandate the UN currently enjoys. And they could do it for a fraction of the $2.2m per day the UN is currently spending on the mission.

Private investors are already bravely testing the climate for investment in Sierra Leone, gambling that the UN can bring peace or at least prevent things from getting worse. If a substantially more effective MSP can guarantee success in a few months, and provide a long-term security package, the number of investors would likely blossom. For the long-suffering population of Sierra Leone the benefits could be enormous.

In fact, the concept of utilising private companies for security in Sierra Leone is not new. The last time there was a semblance of peace in the troubled country was when the South African company Executive Outcomes routed the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels from the country. Costing a fraction of what the UN mission currently costs, the South Africans succeeded with less than 300 professional soldiers (Africa Analysis, passim). Sierra Leoneans are disappointed by the UN's failures, and tell any visitor willing to listen that they would love to have the South Africans return. Although Executive Outcomes folded in 1998, there are a number of companies capable of repeating their success.

The real stumbling block to utilising MSPs for peace operations comes from the very organisation charged with bringing world peace. The UN has the international legitimacy but not the capability to do peace operations. Lacking any military arm of its own, it is forced to rely on soldiers proffered by its member states. Unable to see any direct threat to their national interests, developed countries with the best militaries rarely offer their own troops to UN peace-keeping missions, leaving the least capable soldiers doing the most difficult missions. MSPs could change all that, offering professional soldiers, most of whom previously served in the best militaries of the world.

Critics question whether companies can be effectively regulated, but in fact they can be controlled - financially, legally and morally. Companies can be chosen from those that adhere to strict, internationally recognised standards. If they fail to live up to their contractual obligations, they can be dismissed or even taken to court. Contractual bonuses and penalties can be imposed to ensure rapid and efficient operations. International military observers can accompany all operations to ensure the Geneva Conventions are observed and that the company maintains the highest standards.

The potential for these companies is huge. The potential humanitarian and economic benefits for the continent could be immeasurable. Lacking an effective military arm, UN peace operations will continue to fail. The choice for the African continent is stark, privatising peace or watching the carnage continue.

Doug Brooks is a Research Associate with the South African Institute of International Affairs. He writes in his personal capacity. He can be contacted via e-mail at hoosier84@aol.com.