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