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

The Day They Ate The Zoo is James Ellery’s record of his senior military UN appointments in two of Africa’s most volatile and violent countries – written with insight, honesty and a light touch. In 1999, after a successful career in the Army, Ellery was chosen to establish a new UN mission in the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo. With nations from across 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 mission was a success – in spite of the machinations of the Congolese authorities. Less than two years later, Ellery was selected for another demanding appointment in Africa – this time in Sierra Leone. His candid despatches document his time as Chief of Staff of the 17,500 strong UN peacekeeping force. As the country strove to right itself after a decade of civil war, James played a pivotal role in ensuring free and fair democratic elections and bringing the major players to book in the Special Court for Sierra Leone.