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 Challenges Rooted in: n the multinational effort that is required; n 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 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 & Mandate Needs: n Clear mandates and rules of engagement. n Understanding of political and humanitarian objectives n Translatable into military endstates. n M&M should be in line with realities on the ground. n Pragmatism & flexibility PEACE MISSIONS IN AFRICA: LESSONS LEARNED

Mandate vs Means n Financial assistance n Logistical and organisational problems n Obsolete Military equipment n Training difficulties n Force projection - ground, air and sea transportation n National Log support system n Morale of the forces n Effective log support n Payment of peacekeepers PEACE MISSIONS IN AFRICA: LESSONS LEARNED

Co-ordination and Unity of Effort n States retain their autonomy and sovereignty: –C 2, rules of engagement, discipline & personnel procedures n Contending national priorities: –political differences & disagreements between participating states n 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 Capabilities No intelligence >>>> No Operations Africa: n Lack of intelligence on local inhabitants, culture, beliefs and customs. n Basic Geographical information - Maps Problems: n UN don’t want to compromise its impartiality n Reluctance of nations to share the info gathering capabilities n Lack of secure communications PEACE MISSIONS IN AFRICA: LESSONS LEARNED

Media 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 ‘peace’ in this new era is as much a job for soldiers as it is for scribes” “…finding and explaining the realities of providing ‘peace’ in this new era is as much a job for soldiers as it is for scribes” Dobell, G PEACE MISSIONS IN AFRICA: LESSONS LEARNED

Military Civilian Interaction n Peace Missions: Civilian presence on all levels of ops n 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 n Delicate relationship between peacekeepers, host government, parties to the conflict and local population n Civil-Military Operation Centre n Minimum force & non violent approaches n Advantages of using African troops for African problems. PEACE MISSIONS IN AFRICA: LESSONS LEARNED

Linguistic and Cultural Diversity Africa: Languages & Military culture of former colonial powers Different Value Systems: n Gender Integration n Discipline over troops n Cultural Differences n Ethical Standards - black market activities, prostitution, looting, etc PEACE MISSIONS IN AFRICA: LESSONS LEARNED

Closing Remarks Peace Missions in Africa: n Missions are not simple and easy. n Sources of conflict are both diverse and endemic. n Hostile operational environment. n Burden for resolving conflicts rests more and more on Africans PEACE MISSIONS IN AFRICA: LESSONS LEARNED