Merc 2000: Mali/Burkhina Faso

[Enfield]

Haven't posted in a while. My player group begged me to run a Merc 2000 game with characters working for a PMC in Africa. I decided to pick stuff already laid out in the Merc 2000 books and picked Mali. My idea is that they will be working for a government ministry there while their own military is in a period of transition.

I'm making use of Millenium's End's BlackEagle material for ideas on how the PMC is run.

I would appreciate any advice and good ideas on resources for the following:

1. Local culture
2. Knowledge of the history
3. Knowledge of 90s era military operations in that part of North/West Africa


Thanks in advance!

[swaghauler]

I don't know much about the '90s, but IF you wanted to run a modern-day version check out the video I posted in Leg's video thread below about a French resupply convoy moving in mali. There are also a couple of good videos showing the French and Algerian troops engaging insurgents in both Mali and Nijer. They are worth watching just for the terrain you will be dealing with (think Australian Outback with even less water in the interior of Mali).

[swaghauler]

In addition, IF you are using the V2 or V2.2 rules, you might want to get the PDF of the Special Operations Handbook. It has some cool new rules in it that you might find useful.

[swaghauler]

Here are some videos on Mali that you might find interesting. These involve not only Al Queda (Shiara/Shiites) but also ISIS/DASH (Sunni extremists) in the 2013 time frame. This "Insurgency" continues to this day and Al Queda in Africa was active since the mid-'90s.

https://youtu.be/hz_9KhUku2M

https://youtu.be/QO3iXNtLkug


Swag.

[swaghauler]

In my own MERC campaign set in the 21st Century in the Somalia, Kenya, and Congo regions of East Africa, my PCs were Mercs/PMCs operating privately training African Union Soldiers and taking "side jobs" from various entities in the region. Some of the "employers" who have offered employment include

- A MINING COMPANY that needed a small group of specialists (mostly Geologists) rescued from Al Queda (actually Somalian Al Shabbob) terrorists on the border of the Congo.

- Escort of Specialists and medical supplies to an area of Uganda that was experiencing an outbreak of Ebola for DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS.

- Assisting KENYAN PARK RANGERS with an Ivory poaching and smuggling ring in Kenya and Southern Somalia.

- Providing protection and assistance for a small group of engineers who were needed to build a bridge on a major roadway into the Congo for THE AFRICAN UNION COMMAND.

- Providing rear-area protection for a village near a conflict with ISIS/DASH on behalf of THE AFRICAN UNION.

- Performing mine detection and sweeping after a UN food convoy hit a mine and two people were killed delivering food in Somalia for THE UN PEACEKEEPING MISSION.

- Seeking out and assassinating a terrorist who attacked UN troops in Uganda and then fled to The Congo for The UN PEACEKEEPING BRIGADE OF CENTRAL AFRICA (sponsored by the CIA). This was an "off the books/total deniability op."

- Finding and evacuating a VIP who was wounded by rebels and delivering that VIP to a rendevous point where a MED JET EXPRESS FLIGHT from Kenya was waiting to take him to Europe for a major EUROPEAN FINANCIAL INSTITUTION.

- Finding and rescuing hostages taken by Somalian pirates in northern Somalia. In other words, a "proof of life" job.

Those are just some of the missions my PCs have undertaken in Africa.

Also, keep in mind that the UN and many European countries consider Mercs to be CRIMINALS and will arrest and prosecute them at the drop of a hat. My PCs have been walking a ragged line between being prosecuted by the Indian General in charge of the UN Mission in Central Africa and being arrested by the various countries they have operated in. The head of the African Union forces has come to their aid (they are on very good terms) and the US has intervened once (although that cost them just like John Wick) but extracted a heavy price (an assassination). They are frequently pushed around by these powerful "patrons" and forced to do dangerous tasks (like guarding a village of 100 from ISIS terrorists) as favors in kind. My players are getting pretty good at the "tit for tat game" and find out who the REAL "power brokers" are the moment they get the gig.

On Missions:

Keep in mind that Mercs are "private citizens" and cannot just waltz into a country with a truckload of arms, ammo, and explosives. This means they will often have to scrounge equipment from inside the country. I once did an executive protection job providing security for two weeks to a group of Christian missionaries who went to Africa to dig a well and build a school. My entire armament consisted of a machete and a Chinese-made 9mmP Tokarev pistol with 3 8-round magazines and a 100-round box of 9mm ammo that we had to hide because the authorities didn't really want us to be armed. AND... we were in an area where ISIS was killing people for being Christian. I quit doing PMC work because of how poorly this whole mission was organized and run. I and my employer Dave did a lot of "improvising" just to get everyone to the damned village. And I did it all for a measly $250 a day after taxes.

[swaghauler]

https://youtu.be/9yCONEdFgWo

Another interesting watch on PMCs.

[Enfield]

@Swaghauler: Thank you so much for posting all that stuff, very helpful!

A few questions:

1. When you were doing executive protection, were you part of a larger outfit? Did you have any support?

2. With your PCs, are they a small self contained team, or are they part of a larger corporation?

The reason I ask this is that I am making my group part of a larger corporation.

[swaghauler]

@Swaghauler: Thank you so much for posting all that stuff, very helpful!

A few questions:

1. When you were doing executive protection, were you part of a larger outfit? Did you have any support?

2. With your PCs, are they a small self contained team, or are they part of a larger corporation?

The reason I ask this is that I am making my group part of a larger corporation.

When I provided security for a corporate team for GE Transportation Systems who went to the Middle East, I was part of a very large security system that was actually hosted by the US State Dept. We were basically private security for the sales team (looking to sell locomotives and generators) while they traveled in the UAE, Suadi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq, and Afghanistan. We were surrounded by Xe (formerly BLACKWATER) security in the green zone of Iraq as well as in Kuwait. We were basically the "inner defense" and the Xe guys had hard body armor, automatic assault rifles, grenades and explosives, and even a helo for air support. It was hard to distinguish them from US troops. But then BLACKWATER is a multi-billion dollar company. I was the junior member of the team (brought in to drive) and was a designated driver, but I never drove in Baghdad. The Xe guys had up-armored Suburbans and drove us everywhere in a big convoy with machineguns and AT weapons on support/security vehicles. They were very professional to deal with. We wore soft body armor, carried concealed pistols, and wore polo shirts in public. We did have MP5s in the vehicles but Xe was carrying enough firepower that we were designated to just grab our "Principals" and take cover in the event of an incident.

Up North in Iraq, I didn't feel as safe. We were dealing with contractors from a big company called Global Tech Security and they were riding around in Toyota vans and pickups with MP5s and soft body armor just like we had. No heavy weapons either. They weren't as disciplined as the Xe guys either. I'm told that they mostly recruited cops and security guards instead of ex-military and it showed in their behavior.

In Afghanistan, we were covered by US Army personnel and never left the secured areas outside of Baghram or the Capitol.

For my trip to Africa, I was approached by a friend of mine who introduced me to Dave. He was a startup company (now closed) who had tried to get a piece of the "middle east PMC pie" but had failed. He then turned his attention to Africa because it was possible to get jobs there. I didn't realize just how "green" Dave was about Executive Protection until we got the job taking those missionaries to Africa. The issue with jobs like that is they are not good-paying jobs and the people who take them have to cut corners to make a buck doing them. The only reason you normally see these types of jobs is some INSURANCE COMPANY is demanding you have security or they won't give you any "kidnap insurance" for your trip. Dave was no exception here. It was just him and me escorting these missionaries. We had issues just getting our stuff (mainly power tools) into the country. They were held up at customs even though we did a carnet and paid the vat taxes for our consumables. He didn't understand how the African countries worked (on the BRIBERY SYSTEM). Then we didn't have our jingle trucks show up to haul us. Fortunately, we had a GREAT local guide who was affiliated with the Christian Ministries who helped us overcome the various obstacles in a timely fashion. You haven't lived until you have ridden a "train" comprised of a wooden platform attached to two old railroad truccs (wheel assemblies) and driven by a belt drive attached to an old outboard motor. Everything (and everyone) is just sitting on top of this wooden platform trucking through the jungle at 10mph.

You see, in Africa, they have "micro-economies." People are so poor that stores will sell a single cigarette out of a pack or a squeeze of toothpaste (bring your own container), or a pair of aspirin. This micro-economy mindset CAN BE EXPLOITED to get things done. I brought pens, BIC lighters, cheap Casio watches (the $13 WALMART specials), small bottles of booze (like hotels have in their curtesy bars), and candy bars. I hid these in our luggage and our cargo. They were a form of "bribery" that is often used in Africa to "grease the wheels" of local authorities. These are NOT money, so if you give a border agent a package of black pens, a candy bar, a Cassio watch, and a bottle of vodka as a "gift," he will expedite your customs paperwork... ;)

I also used such techniques at security checkpoints and with other individuals that we interacted with while we were in Africa. To me, it was about $250 worth of cheap items I brought to Africa. To the Africans, it was an otherwise unobtainable treasure. This bribery is SO COMMON, you can start a thread explosion in any sailing forum just mentioning the bribes Egyptian PILOTS on the Suez Canal extort from private boat captains using the Canal.

So, as you can see, PERSUASION (along with a "gift") is often the best means to resolving any issues you might have in a place like Africa. BUT... BE ADVISED... flashing lots of cash will often have the opposite effect. The Africans will "covet" what you have and "gifts" will become expensive and you will likely as not get robbed. So displays of wealth should not be the order of the day.

[swaghauler]

@Swaghauler: Thank you so much for posting all that stuff, very helpful!

A few questions:

1. When you were doing executive protection, were you part of a larger outfit? Did you have any support?

2. With your PCs, are they a small self contained team, or are they part of a larger corporation?

The reason I ask this is that I am making my group part of a larger corporation.

My PCs are a small autonomous group who are in Africa because their skills are not in demand in the "First World." They do have connections and I would suggest to you that you at least DOUBLE (if not triple) the number of CONTACTS that the PCs get. I would normally roll 1D6 per Term. I would segregate those contacts into three classes:

1) GOOD [Solid] Contacts: These are the guys and gals you can ALWAYS count on to help you. You should get ONLY ONE of these per Term.

2) Standard Contacts: These contacts will help you IF it's not too much trouble. A PERSUASION test may be needed if there is "risk" involved for the Contact. You may find yourself owing them a "favor" later on. These are good contacts to use for acquiring equipment or information during play. HALF (rounding down) of your rolled contacts after getting a Good Contact should be this type of contact.

3) Unreliable Contacts: These are your "reluctant helpers" who always need to be Persuaded (or bribed) to help. They will constitute the larger HALF of any remaining Contacts after getting a GOOD Contact.

I just keep the Contacts vague until the Player wants to turn a random Contact into a SOLID Contact (per the RAW V2/V2.2 rules). Then I have them describe to me who that Contact is and I make up the rest of the Contact's back story.

[swaghauler]

Here are a few more videos on West Africa. These are 21st Century videos but they will give you insight into the dynamics/politics of the region of Mali, Nijer, and sub-Saharan Africa.

https://youtu.be/dT5U-JQ8Puw

https://youtu.be/4L9VxCg_-VQ

[Enfield]

My PCs are a small autonomous group who are in Africa because their skills are not in demand in the "First World." They do have connections and I would suggest to you that you at least DOUBLE (if not triple) the number of CONTACTS that the PCs get. I would normally roll 1D6 per Term. I would segregate those contacts into three classes:

1) GOOD [Solid] Contacts: These are the guys and gals you can ALWAYS count on to help you. You should get ONLY ONE of these per Term.

2) Standard Contacts: These contacts will help you IF it's not too much trouble. A PERSUASION test may be needed if there is "risk" involved for the Contact. You may find yourself owing them a "favor" later on. These are good contacts to use for acquiring equipment or information during play. HALF (rounding down) of your rolled contacts after getting a Good Contact should be this type of contact.

3) Unreliable Contacts: These are your "reluctant helpers" who always need to be Persuaded (or bribed) to help. They will constitute the larger HALF of any remaining Contacts after getting a GOOD Contact.

I just keep the Contacts vague until the Player wants to turn a random Contact into a SOLID Contact (per the RAW V2/V2.2 rules). Then I have them describe to me who that Contact is and I make up the rest of the Contact's back story.

Interesting. So do you allow PCs to enhance the quality of a contact through their own actions or through circumstances?

[Enfield]

When I provided security for a corporate team for GE Transportation Systems who went to the Middle East, I was part of a very large security system that was actually hosted by the US State Dept. We were basically private security for the sales team (looking to sell locomotives and generators) while they traveled in the UAE, Suadi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq, and Afghanistan. We were surrounded by Xe (formerly BLACKWATER) security in the green zone of Iraq as well as in Kuwait. We were basically the "inner defense" and the Xe guys had hard body armor, automatic assault rifles, grenades and explosives, and even a helo for air support. It was hard to distinguish them from US troops. But then BLACKWATER is a multi-billion dollar company. I was the junior member of the team (brought in to drive) and was a designated driver, but I never drove in Baghdad. The Xe guys had up-armored Suburbans and drove us everywhere in a big convoy with machineguns and AT weapons on support/security vehicles. They were very professional to deal with. We wore soft body armor, carried concealed pistols, and wore polo shirts in public. We did have MP5s in the vehicles but Xe was carrying enough firepower that we were designated to just grab our "Principals" and take cover in the event of an incident.

Up North in Iraq, I didn't feel as safe. We were dealing with contractors from a big company called Global Tech Security and they were riding around in Toyota vans and pickups with MP5s and soft body armor just like we had. No heavy weapons either. They weren't as disciplined as the Xe guys either. I'm told that they mostly recruited cops and security guards instead of ex-military and it showed in their behavior.

In Afghanistan, we were covered by US Army personnel and never left the secured areas outside of Baghram or the Capitol.

For my trip to Africa, I was approached by a friend of mine who introduced me to Dave. He was a startup company (now closed) who had tried to get a piece of the "middle east PMC pie" but had failed. He then turned his attention to Africa because it was possible to get jobs there. I didn't realize just how "green" Dave was about Executive Protection until we got the job taking those missionaries to Africa. The issue with jobs like that is they are not good-paying jobs and the people who take them have to cut corners to make a buck doing them. The only reason you normally see these types of jobs is some INSURANCE COMPANY is demanding you have security or they won't give you any "kidnap insurance" for your trip. Dave was no exception here. It was just him and me escorting these missionaries. We had issues just getting our stuff (mainly power tools) into the country. They were held up at customs even though we did a carnet and paid the vat taxes for our consumables. He didn't understand how the African countries worked (on the BRIBERY SYSTEM). Then we didn't have our jingle trucks show up to haul us. Fortunately, we had a GREAT local guide who was affiliated with the Christian Ministries who helped us overcome the various obstacles in a timely fashion. You haven't lived until you have ridden a "train" comprised of a wooden platform attached to two old railroad truccs (wheel assemblies) and driven by a belt drive attached to an old outboard motor. Everything (and everyone) is just sitting on top of this wooden platform trucking through the jungle at 10mph.

You see, in Africa, they have "micro-economies." People are so poor that stores will sell a single cigarette out of a pack or a squeeze of toothpaste (bring your own container), or a pair of aspirin. This micro-economy mindset CAN BE EXPLOITED to get things done. I brought pens, BIC lighters, cheap Casio watches (the $13 WALMART specials), small bottles of booze (like hotels have in their curtesy bars), and candy bars. I hid these in our luggage and our cargo. They were a form of "bribery" that is often used in Africa to "grease the wheels" of local authorities. These are NOT money, so if you give a border agent a package of black pens, a candy bar, a Cassio watch, and a bottle of vodka as a "gift," he will expedite your customs paperwork... ;)

I also used such techniques at security checkpoints and with other individuals that we interacted with while we were in Africa. To me, it was about $250 worth of cheap items I brought to Africa. To the Africans, it was an otherwise unobtainable treasure. This bribery is SO COMMON, you can start a thread explosion in any sailing forum just mentioning the bribes Egyptian PILOTS on the Suez Canal extort from private boat captains using the Canal.

So, as you can see, PERSUASION (along with a "gift") is often the best means to resolving any issues you might have in a place like Africa. BUT... BE ADVISED... flashing lots of cash will often have the opposite effect. The Africans will "covet" what you have and "gifts" will become expensive and you will likely as not get robbed. So displays of wealth should not be the order of the day.

Yeah this stuff I'm familiar with through missionary type experience, it's always interesting, and there are a lot of similarities though variety exists by country. (Like, Liberia and Uganda have similar problems but still very different, and bearing in mind these are both former British colonies)

Bribery makes sense if being paid well or having access to resources is less common. BTW, love the description of the train.

What I find particularly interesting is what you are telling me about working for different kinds of PMCs. I felt that because for some of my players Twilight 2000/Merc 2000 is a new system and they are unfamiliar with a lot of stuff in it as well as military life and military history that it would be easier for our first campaign to do one based on Millenium's End's BlackEagle corporation and focus mostly on the missions at first. So this probably more relates to your experience working with Xe.

[swaghauler]

Interesting. So do you allow PCs to enhance the quality of a contact through their own actions or through circumstances?
Yes I do. That works both ways too. If you almost get a good contact killed, they may "degrade" in quality.

I find contacts to be an important part of a Merc campaign. Not only do they provide needed support but they can give plot hooks too. I kind of push for the old Magnum PI style interactions where some people (like TC) just jump in. Others (like Rick) need the incentive of a reward (or the promise of one). While still others (like Higgins) needed convincing to help.

[Enfield]

Yes I do. That works both ways too. If you almost get a good contact killed, they may "degrade" in quality.

I find contacts to be an important part of a Merc campaign. Not only do they provide needed support but they can give plot hooks too. I kind of push for the old Magnum PI style interactions where some people (like TC) just jump in. Others (like Rick) need the incentive of a reward (or the promise of one). While still others (like Higgins) needed convincing to help.

Really appreciate all the help and the videos as well. Lightning War was particularly fun, I enjoyed how it was edited, very dramatic. One thing in particular I found useful was glimpses of the terrain, roads and buildings where action was taking place.

As far as contacts goes, I'm following your model with a bit of modification. Some contacts for instance are useful for resources, others for information, still others for direct support.

[swaghauler]

Really appreciate all the help and the videos as well. Lightning War was particularly fun, I enjoyed how it was edited, very dramatic. One thing in particular I found useful was glimpses of the terrain, roads and buildings where action was taking place.

As far as contacts goes, I'm following your model with a bit of modification. Some contacts for instance are useful for resources, others for information, still others for direct support.

That's pretty much what I do.

[swaghauler]

Here are some videos on Executive Outcomes and the follow-on Mercs in Seria Leone.

Executive Outcomes defeated 1500 rebels with 150 men in 1995. Here is a video on them. One thing that made a difference was that EO didn't "oppress" the people. Both the Army and the rebels would rape, loot, and pillage the locals, but EO came in and provided aid in exchange for information. They then used that information to destroy the rebels.

https://youtu.be/w34L4Qu2Deg


Here is a follow-up video from 2000

https://youtu.be/I1DCxpnqUzE

[unipus]

An important thing to keep in mind with post-colonial states in Africa is that the colonial powers tend to still be quite involved. In Sierra Leone, that's the British. In Mali, it's the French. You can see the direct intervention of both nations' militaries in recent times. They continue to have operatives and intelligence operations in these places. Often, these operatives are not necessarily acting on an official decree from the Queen, but also enterprising in their own regards.

The other side of this is that they also are involved in the politics of who does what and where. That would include, particularly, the operations of a mercenary outfit. A lot of money and influence would exchange hands, in terms of favors, access, and just in general how easy it is to get anything done whatsoever.

I was in SL in 2009 or so. Still a lot of fascinating (and some gruesome) remnants from the war there, including EO's Hind helicopter rusting at the end of the runway.

[Olefin]

An important thing to keep in mind with post-colonial states in Africa is that the colonial powers tend to still be quite involved. In Sierra Leone, that's the British. In Mali, it's the French. You can see the direct intervention of both nations' militaries in recent times. They continue to have operatives and intelligence operations in these places. Often, these operatives are not necessarily acting on an official decree from the Queen, but also enterprising in their own regards.

The other side of this is that they also are involved in the politics of who does what and where. That would include, particularly, the operations of a mercenary outfit. A lot of money and influence would exchange hands, in terms of favors, access, and just in general how easy it is to get anything done whatsoever.

I was in SL in 2009 or so. Still a lot of fascinating (and some gruesome) remnants from the war there, including EO's Hind helicopter rusting at the end of the runway.

100% agree with especially with the French - the list of their interventions is quite long since they left their colonies - example is Operation Serval in Mali - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Serval#:~:text=Operation%20Serval%20(Fre nch%3A%20Op%C3%A9ration%20Serval,into%20the%20cent er%20of%20Mali.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran%C3%A7afrique#:~:text=France%20adopted%20an%20 interventionist%20policy,1996)%2C%20Chad%20(Op%C3% A9ration%20Bison

France adopted an interventionist policy in Africa, resulting in 122 military interventions that averaged once a year from 1960 to the mid-1990s and included countries such as Benin (Operation Verdier in 1991), Central African Republic (Operation Barracuda in 1979 and Operation Almandin in 1996), Chad (Opération Bison in 1968–72, Opération Tacaud in 1978, Operation Manta in 1983 and Opération Épervier in 1986), Comoros (Operation Oside in 1989 and Operation Azalee in 1995), Democratic Republic of Congo (Operation Léopard in 1978 and Operation Baumier in 1991 when it was Zaire, and Operation Artemis in 2003), Djibouti (Operation Godoria in 1991), Gabon (1964 and Operation Requin in 1990), Ivory Coast (Opération Licorne in 2002), Mauritania (Opération Lamantin in 1977), Republic of Congo (Opération Pélican in 1997), Rwanda (Operation Noroît in 1990–93, Operation Amaryllis in 1994 and Opération Turquoise in 1994), Togo (1986), Senegal (prevent a coup d'état in 1962) and Sierra Leone (Operation Simbleau in 1992).

French have been busy indeed

[swaghauler]

My group just finished an adventure in the Congo. They had to find and recover a shipment of Coltan that was hijacked by rebels and return it to a mining consortium in Kenya. Four out of four wounded PCs, one critically. One driver rescued, two bodies, and 3 of 4 trucks recovered. It was a brutal adventure but the boys got it done!

[unipus]

Oh hey, that reminded me: it takes place in South America (and a fictional country at that), but the movie Proof Of Life is actually pretty damn solid in presenting this sort of thing. And the climactic raid is probably one of the all-time most authentic military action scenes I can think of.

[swaghauler]

Oh hey, that reminded me: it takes place in South America (and a fictional country at that), but the movie Proof Of Life is actually pretty damn solid in presenting this sort of thing. And the climactic raid is probably one of the all-time most authentic military action scenes I can think of.

In addition to Proof of Life, you might also check out the following movies for inspiration about mercs...

Uncommon Valor: A movie about rescuing prisoners of war in Vietnam. Based on a real op funded by Ross Perot in the 70s.

Ronin (free on youtube): A heist movie about stealing a box containing something valuable.

The dark side of the sun (from the 60s): A movie about rescuing people and diamonds from a potential rebel threat during the revolutions in Africa after WWII, staring the actor from the original Time Machine and the Birds.

The Way Of The Gun: A movie about two small-time thugs who kidnap a crime boss's daughter looking for ransom. A good movie with good shootout scenes.

The Hunted: B. Del Toro plays an assassin being hunted by a former instructor. Very good fight scenes.

The Veteran: A British movie that has a lot of good scenes and a decent story to it.

These are some lesser-known movies to give you inspiration for Ops in a Merc campaign.

[unipus]

I'd forgotten about The Hunted. The actual fights are good (who the hell wants to fight with a knife though??) -- but it also has one of the silliest montages I've ever seen, where fugitive Del Toro somehow finds time in the wild to craft a knife from raw material.

[swaghauler]

I'd forgotten about The Hunted. The actual fights are good (who the hell wants to fight with a knife though??) -- but it also has one of the silliest montages I've ever seen, where fugitive Del Toro somehow finds time in the wild to craft a knife from raw material.

Yep. That would have been about 6 to 8 hours. Oh, and he used MILD STEEL to make it. Just try getting mild steel to hold any kind of an edge.

I was really taken by the movie the VETERAN. A really sad ending though.