The Institute for Security Studies confirmed on Wednesday that South Africans were in the Ivory Coast to help that government quell a rebellion, but said they could not be labelled mercenaries.
”They are not soldiers walking around with guns,” ISS military analyst Henri Boshoff said. ”Rather, they are technical advisers who have individual business contracts with the government.”
Boshoff said he had received confirmation from
”people who work for the Ivory Coast government” that between 10 and 20 such experts had arrived in the Ivory Coast from South Africa about two weeks ago.
The presence of South Africans had also been confirmed by the government of that country, he added.
They were providing assistance in logistical co-ordination and military training. Media reports on Monday said Ivory Coast government sources had confirmed that French, South African and Bulgarian mercenaries had arrived in that country to help the government.
The 50-odd mercenaries were reportedly mainly helicopter pilots hired to teach the army how to handle new equipment it had acquired since an uprising began on September 19.
Foreign affairs department representative Ronnie Mamoepa said on Wednesday the South African mission in the Ivory Coast was still investigating whether there was any truth to the reports.
On Tuesday, he said South African mercenaries could be charged under the Foreign Military Assistance Act, which prohibits such activities and makes provision for imprisonment, a fine, or both if found guilty by a court of law.
Boshoff said the legislation did not apply this group of South Africans as they were not mercenaries.
The conflict in the Ivory Coast has claimed about 400 lives. A ceasefire was signed in October, but setbacks in peace talks have raised fears of more fighting. – Sapa