Product details
- ISBN 9781910533857
- Weight: 495g
- Dimensions: 153 x 234mm
- Publication Date: 12 Nov 2025
- Publisher: Nine Elms Books
- Publication City/Country: GB
- Product Form: Hardback
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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.
Lecturing at an American University, James Ellery was asked by a sceptical freshman if military training had prepared him for leading complex United Nations Missions. He replied that it had – except for witchcraft which he discovered was prevalent in West Africa! That training started at Mons Officer Cadet School followed by a commission into The Life Guards.
This was good preparation for his first deployment in Sharjah. Thereafter, tours in Northern Ireland during their ‘Troubles’ – and back to the desert for secondment to the new Sultan of Oman’s army. Command and staff appointments followed in the former Yugoslavia, West Germany, The Democratic Republic of Congo (for which he was appointed a CBE), and Sierra Leone.
The jewel in the crown for all Guardsmen is leadership of his regiment. Ellery had the privilege to command The Life Guards in the Airborne Brigade and then, on change of role, to BAOR.
In 2003, he applied for a Foreign Office posting in Iraq. After a senior appointment in the Coalition Provisional Authority, he took on the fast-moving Directorate of Infrastructure Security which eventually broke the back of the insurgents attempts to frustrate the export of oil and the delivery of electricity.
This was followed by a further posting to the United Nations Mission in Sudan in 2005.
James Ellery lives in London.
