Abstract

The contracting of private military contractors (PMCs) to render services in conflict domains has been very controversial in recent times, but the persistence of armed conflicts around the world, and the increasing reluctance of stronger nations to commit their military to restoring peace within such areas suggest that they are here to stay. States, intergovernmental organizations, nongovernmental organizations and even multinational corporations have been found to engage PMCs in order to meet their ends of restoring stability to the many States that are becoming dysfunctional due to persistent conflicts. The debate about PMCs has been about proving the legitimacy of their existence, and the justification for contracting wars that should otherwise be an exclusive State function to private companies. In this paper, an attempt is made at proving PMCs as legitimate entrepreneurs and highlighting the need to bring them out of the legal vacuum, which they have been operating in.

Keywords: Private military contractors; Mercenaries; Armed conflict; Legitimacy; Legal vacuum