The Day They Ate The Zoo - Despatches from Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of Congo

TheDay They Ate The Zoo is James Ellery’s record of his senior military UN appointmentsin two of Africa’s most volatile and violent countries – written with insight,honesty and a light touch. In1999, after a successful career in the Army, Ellery was chosen to establish anew UN mission in the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo. With nations fromacross the continent fighting for a share in the country’s vast mineral wealth,it required all of James’s diplomatic and military skills to ensure the missionwas a success – in spite of the machinations of the Congolese authorities. Lessthan two years later, Ellery was selected for another demanding appointment inAfrica – this time in Sierra Leone. His candid despatches document his time as Chiefof Staff of the 17,500 strong UN peacekeeping force. As the country strove toright itself after a decade of civil war, James played a pivotal role in ensuringfree and fair democratic elections and bringing the major players to book inthe Special Court for Sierra Leone.