Many of the South African soldiers from Executive Outcomes, the mercenary outfit that swung the war in the government's favour, are still in the country.

ECONOMIST: As mediators reach for a miracle, the mercenaries move in

They are not, in other words, to be confused with Executive Outcomes, a defunct South African firm that could provide anyone who was rich enough to pay with machinegunners and fighter-pilots who had plenty of combat experience.

ECONOMIST: Corporate security

As the fighting neared the capital, the regime brought in Executive Outcomes, a security company employing former South African special forces.

ECONOMIST: Sierra Leone