1. Section Cultural Affairs & Information Lt-Col(R) Dr. Robert Gooren Civil-Military Interaction Command MINUSMA in Mali Challenges for civil-military cooperation

2. Royal Netherlands Army 2 MINUSMA in Mali The role(s) of the UN; MINUSMA and the others -MINUSMA is the only one among 11 UN organizations in Mali with a country-specific mandate. The others (WFP, WHO, UNHCR, OCHA, UNICEF, UNESCO, UNMAS, UNDP, FAO, IOM) have their own country program and tasks. UN Country Team should set overall policy. -MINUSMA’s main task is to stabilize main population centres and rural areas in northern Mali, and protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence. -MINUSMA is an “integrated mission”, with 3 components (military, police, civilian) in 1 organization, 3 HQ’s in 1 building. -The civilian component is linked with the humanitarian effort, and deals with areas of special interest:(political reconciliation, human rights, gender, rule of law, ddr, protection of civilians/children, ssr, elections, national reconciliation, etc)

3. Royal Netherlands Army 3 MINUSMA in Mali Main military activities in the field – Stabilization/deterrence by presence in and around the main population centres in the North. – Expanding presence/patrols in rural areas as well. – Providing armed escorts for humanitarian convoys. – Securing main roads and airfields.

4. Royal Netherlands Army 4 MINUSMA in Mali Civil-military interaction? -Patrols -Collecting information -local leader engagement -medical outreach activity

5. Royal Netherlands Army 5 MINUSMA in Mali Challenges to keep in mind: -NLD military getting in contact with local people (and with NGOs) is part of a military task: to collect useful information for intelligence purposes. NLD units are part of the MINUSMA mission, and not independent, national assets. This is not Uruzgan! -‘Humanitarian Space’ is a term for non-military actors. The military uses ‘Area of Operations’. -CIMIC within MINUSMA means liaison and coordination (through OCHA), not doing CIMIC projects with Malinese or international partners. -Dealing with civil society is the responsibility of the civilian component of MINUSMA: Civil Affairs, Stabilization & Recovery, Gender, Protection of Civilians.

6. Royal Netherlands Army 6 MINUSMA in Mali Questions? 05- 06-08