In The Road to Samarkand, Craig Murray tells the remarkable story of his controversial Foreign Office career. In 1998, Murray became Deputy Head of the Africa Department but, after a brush with mercenary commander Colonel Tim Spicer, he unwittingly created the Arms to Africa investigation.
Suspended from duty and quickly dispatched to Ghana as Deputy High Commissioner, Murray next found himself caught up in dangerous negotiations with the murderous rebels of Sierra Leone. He miraculously emerged with a peace deal that would save the lives of tens of thousands, only to have his thunder stolen by Jesse Jackson.
Murray's next move was to arrange a state visit to Ghana by the Queen - part of his strategy to oust Jerry Rawlings, who had taken power in a military coup. Outwitting the regime in a series of astonishing set pieces, Murray became a national hero after enabling the opposition to peacefully take power. But following his public statement that British companies had been involved in corruption in Africa, Murray's FCO bosses sent him to remote Uzbekistan in the hope that he would never be heard of again . . .
Told with Murray's customary style and wry humour, The Road to Samarkand highlights many of the paradoxes of Western involvement with Africa. And, as ever with Murray, there are several lovers and a variety of alcoholic beverages along the way.
