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PEACE MISSIONS IN AFRICA: LESSONS LEARNED
Prof Theo Neethling & Lt Col Abel Esterhuyse
Faculty of Military Science (Military Academy),
Stellenbosch University
Aim:
Outline key issues regarding the strategic and operational management of multinational peace missions in Africa.
Africa: Ops Challenges & Hostile ops environment.– International reluctance to assume military and
financial responsibility– Greater emphasis on the responsibility of regional &
sub-regional organisations
PEACE MISSIONS IN AFRICA: LESSONS LEARNED
Generic ChallengesGeneric Challenges
Rooted in: the multinational effort that is required; Political will of the participating states.
“Non-conventional Operations”:– Force projection over vast distances– Long-rang / sustained log support– Geographical challenges - climate, terrain & infrastructure– Combined ops
Creation of the African Union:– Resources– Improved structural ability & political will– Future success?
PEACE MISSIONS IN AFRICA: LESSONS LEARNED
Political UnisonPolitical Unison
Political Objectives - Co-ordinate national interests & synthesis into a common strategy.
ECOMOG: Rivalry and suspicion compounded the ECOWAS political environment.
SADC: Militaristic ethos & illegal exploitation of natural resources.
PEACE MISSIONS IN AFRICA: LESSONS LEARNED
Mission & MandateMission & Mandate
Needs: Clear mandates and rules of engagement. Understanding of political and humanitarian objectives Translatable into military endstates. M&M should be in line with realities on the ground. Pragmatism & flexibility
PEACE MISSIONS IN AFRICA: LESSONS LEARNED
Mandate vs MeansMandate vs Means Financial assistance Logistical and organisational problems Obsolete Military equipment Training difficulties Force projection - ground, air and sea transportation National Log support system Morale of the forces Effective log support Payment of peacekeepers
PEACE MISSIONS IN AFRICA: LESSONS LEARNED
Co-ordination and Unity of EffortCo-ordination and Unity of Effort States retain their autonomy and sovereignty:
– C2, rules of engagement, discipline & personnel procedures
Contending national priorities:– political differences & disagreements between participating
states
Lack of co-ordination between & within mission elements pose military problems:– C2– Joint doctrine & directing / co-ordinating civilian and military
ops– Processes within the mandates of the missions - actions &
conduct– Lack of interoperability and SOP’s - French & British / Chinese
& Russian doctrines in Africa
PEACE MISSIONS IN AFRICA: LESSONS LEARNED
Intelligence Collection CapabilitiesIntelligence Collection Capabilities
No intelligence >>>> No Operations
Africa: Lack of intelligence on local inhabitants, culture, beliefs
and customs. Basic Geographical information - Maps
Problems: UN don’t want to compromise its impartiality Reluctance of nations to share the info gathering
capabilities Lack of secure communications
PEACE MISSIONS IN AFRICA: LESSONS LEARNED
Media RelationsMedia Relations
Perceptions:– Peacekeepers– Local Population– Public at large
Exploitation of the Media & Media is a powerful instrument
Friction between media and peacekeepers
Problem for Peacekeepers: How to counter hostile propaganda
“…“…finding and explaining the realities of providing finding and explaining the realities of providing ‘peace’ in this new era is as much a job for ‘peace’ in this new era is as much a job for
soldiers as it is for scribes”soldiers as it is for scribes” Dobell, G
PEACE MISSIONS IN AFRICA: LESSONS LEARNED
Military Civilian InteractionMilitary Civilian Interaction Peace Missions: Civilian presence on all levels of ops Increase in the number of NGOs
– Civil-Mil co-ordination: distribution of supplies, management of refugees, organising medical support
– Problems: C3, Tension between NGO’s and military, Clash of cultures and values
Delicate relationship between peacekeepers, host government, parties to the conflict and local population
Civil-Military Operation Centre Minimum force & non violent approaches Advantages of using African troops for African
problems.
PEACE MISSIONS IN AFRICA: LESSONS LEARNED
Linguistic and Cultural DiversityLinguistic and Cultural Diversity
Africa: Languages & Military culture of former colonial powers
Different Value Systems: Gender Integration Discipline over troops Cultural Differences Ethical Standards - black market activities, prostitution,
looting, etc
PEACE MISSIONS IN AFRICA: LESSONS LEARNED
Closing RemarksClosing Remarks
Peace Missions in Africa:
Missions are not simple and easy. Sources of conflict are both diverse and endemic. Hostile operational environment . Burden for resolving conflicts rests more and more on
Africans
PEACE MISSIONS IN AFRICA: LESSONS LEARNED