Peace Support Operations in Africa A Perspective from Nigeria
Major General Suraj ABDURRAHMAN, Nigerian Armed Forces, Director of Policy, Defense HQ, Lagos
I should like at the outset of this presentation, to express appreciation to the organizers of this Seminar, the Austrian Blue Helmet Association, for putting together this seminar and particularly for inviting me to participate. This seminar could not have been better timed, coming as it were, at a time that Africa is being preoccupied with efforts to establish the African Standby Force. It is indeed my great pleasure to be here today to address such an admixture of important audience of universal peace seekers.
As the UN reviews and reassesses its role in peace operations, conflict management mechanisms in regional organizations and other arrangements offer new opportunities. Different regions are evolving in different ways and their respective capabilities to deal with their problems vary. Regional action can have both advantages and disadvantages. States in the region concerned have national interests in the stability of their local environment and are more likely to be willing to take part in peace operations that are closer to the homeland.
Moreover, they will be more familiar with regional cultures and attitudes than outsiders. On the other hand, sometimes states in the region may be too close to the issues and may have their own agenda. Conflicting
Peace Support O per
ations in Afr ica
A Perspective f rom Niger
ia
Major General S uraj A BDUR RAHMAN, Ni geri
an
Armed Forces, Director
of Policy, Defens e HQ, Lag
os
I sho uld like at the outse
t of this presentation, to ex press
appr eci ation to the orga
nizers of this Se minar, the
Austrian Blue Helmet Association, for putting together
this semina r a nd partic
ularl y f or inviting
me to could not have been better minar . This se ipate partic
timed, c oming as it we
re, a t a time tha
t Af ric a is be ing
preoccupied wi th e fforts
to est abl ish t he Afri can S
tandb
y today t to be here great pleasure is indeed my e. It Forc
o
address such an admix
ture of i mport
ant audi ence of
universal peace se ekers.
As the UN review s and reassesses its role in peace
opera tions, con
flic t mana
geme nt mecha
nisms in reg
iona l
organizations and oth er a
rrangements of
fer new in different are evolving ions opportunities. Different reg
ways and their r esp ectiv e ca pabilitie s to deal wi
th their
problems vary.
Regi onal action c an hav
e both advanta
ges d have the region concerne and disadvantages. States in
nationa l intere
sts in the stabilit
y of their loc
al
envir onment a
nd a re more likely
to be willin g to t
ake par
t meland. t are closer to the ho in peace operations tha
Moreove r, the y will be more f
amilia r with r egi
onal
cultures and attitudes than out siders. On the other hand,
sometime s state
s in the reg
ion ma y be
too close to the enda. Conflicting e their own ag issues and may hav
interests and lack of mutual trust may undermine the peace process. There may also be inadequate military and other resources available for peace operations. We have had ample experiences of both situations in West Africa, and indeed Africa. I hope this forum will look at this and generate practical solutions that would be applicable in Africa and elsewhere around the world.
Nigeria’s Commitment and Sacrifices
Over 1,500 peacekeepers have died in the service of the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations. Some of these brave souls have been Nigerian Armed Forces personnel.
While the UN remains the pre-eminent international authority with the most resources at the multilateral level for dealing with global security and humanitarian concerns, it has always sought allies from within the ranks of its membership. Typically, countries are asked to support, or volunteer for service in the various peacekeeping missions. The level of commitment and participation of respective countries vary for a myriad of reasons.
However, over the last 44 years, one African country, NIGERIA, has committed more men and materiel toward keeping the peace in Africa and elsewhere than any other on the continent. For Nigeria, the expected return on these considerable investments as in a “peace dividend”
is not the promise of fiscal reward, or international accolades, it is quite simply “peace”. In March 1948, the Nigerian Regiment (which metamorphosed into the Nigerian Army) was called to what can be described as interests and lack of
mutual trust may undermine the
peac e pr ocess. The re may
al so be in
ade quate military
and
other resources av ailable for peac
e operations. W
e have Afric West situations in f both had ample experiences o
a,
and indeed Af rica. I
hope this forum will look at this and
gen erat e pra ctical solutions that would be appli
cable in und the world. ere aro Africa and elsewh
Nigeri a’s Comm
itm en t an d S acri fices
Over 1,500 peac ekeeper s have died in th e service of the
Unite d Nations P
eacekeepi ng Oper ations. S
om e o f t
hese ces personnel. For gerian Armed brave souls have been Ni
While the UN rema
ins the pr e-e minent inte rnationa
l
author ity with the most resour
ces at the multilate
ral le
vel and humanitarian y global securit for dealing with
conc erns, it has
alwa ys soug ht allie
s fro m within the
ranks of its membership. T ypicall y, countries ar e asked
to support, or volunteer for servic
e in the various l of c leve g missions. The epin eke peac
ommitme nt and
participation of respectiv e countries var
y fo r a myr
iad of
reasons.
However, over th e last 44
years, on e African c
ountry,
NIGER IA, h as c ommitted mor e me
n and ma terie
l towa
rd her y ot ere than an ca and elsewh e in Afri the peac keeping
on the cont inent
. For Nige
ria, t he ex pected
ret urn on
these considerable investments as in
a “pea ce dividend”
is not the promise of fiscal
reward, or international “peace simply accolades, it is quite
”. In March 1 948, the
Nigerian Re giment
(which metamorphosed into the
Nige rian Arm y)
was cal led t o what can be descr
ibed as
the Nigerian Armed Forces first peacekeeping operation in the then Gold Coast (now Ghana). Both the police and military in Ghana could not contain the widespread disturbance that started as a rally by the Ex-service Union in Accra on February 20. Troops from the Nigerian Regiment were then flown in and shipped to various towns to restore law and order, a mission that was flawlessly executed with minimum civilian casualties.
They were finally ordered back on June 19, 1948.
The formal contribution of Nigeria to the UN initiatives in world peace was flagged off by her first Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, in his inaugural
address to the plenary session of the 15th Regular Session
on October 7, 1960, barely six days after the attainment of independence, when he stated in his speech: “… it is the desire of Nigeria … to participate actively in the work of the United Nations Organization… We are committed to upholding the principles upon which the United Nations is founded…” Since that day, when
Nigeria was also admitted as the 99th member of the
United Nations, the Prime Minister’s clarion call for active participation in the work of the UN has been carried forth by succeeding Nigerian Governments to the present day.
Starting with ONUC over 100.000 Nigerian personnel participated in Peace Support Operations
Since her maiden participation in the UN mission in the Congo (ONUC) in 1960, Nigeria has continued to actively participate in regional and UN Peace Support
the Ni gerian A
rm ed Fo rces fi rst pe
acekeepi ng o perat ion
in t he t hen Gold C oast (now Ghan a). Bot
h t he po
lice and widespr ontain the could not c in Ghana military
ead
disturbance that started as a rally b y th e Ex-servic
e Union
in Accra on F ebru ary 20. Troops from the Nig
erian in and shipped to various e then flown Regiment wer
towns to restore law and order, a mission that was
fla wle ssly exe cute d with minimum civ
ilian c asua
lties. d back on June 19, 1948. ere y ord were finall They
The f orm al c ontribution of Ni
ger ia to the UN ini
tiative s
in world peace w as fl agged off b
y her
first Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, in his inaug ural
address to the plen ary s
ession of the 15
Regu th
lar Session
on October 7, 1960, bar ely six da ys after the att
ainment ech: “… it is when he stated in his spe of independence,
the desire of Nigeria … to participate
activ ely in the
work of the United Nations Organization… W
e are which the committed to upholding the principles upon
United Nations is founded…” Since t
hat day, when
Niger ia wa s al
so admitte d as the
th 99 membe r of the
United Nations, the Prim e Mini
ster’s cl arion cal
l for the UN has be work of ipation in the partic active
en
carried fort h by suc
cee ding Nige rian Gov ernm
ent s to t he
present day.
Starting with ONUC over 100.000 Nigerian personnel
partic ipated in Peace
Support Ope rat ions
Since he r maide
n pa rtic ipa tion in the U
N mission in the
Congo (O NUC) in 1960, Nig
eria has
continued to UN Peac onal and egi rticipate in r actively pa
e Support
Operations. Our active involvement in Peace Support Operations (PSO) has been consistent with our foreign and defense policies since independence which among others aim at ensuring peace and security on the African continent and the world at large by participating in multilateral security arrangements through the UN, AU and other regional organizations. Consequently, over the past 44 years, Nigeria has cumulatively deployed over 100,000 men and women in PSO together with huge financial and materiel resources. So far, Nigeria has participated in over half of the total number of PSO mounted by the UN, contributing unit contingents, staff officer and military observers, civilian police and civilian experts. At the regional and sub-regional levels, Nigeria has been actively involved in missions mounted by OAU/AU and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as early as in the 60s. We started with participating with 2 bilateral missions in Tanganyika (now Tanzania) in 1964 and Chad in 1979 which later metamorphosed to an OAU Pan African Mission in the early 80s. However, our greatest challenges and sacrifices were recorded when we made the largest contribution to the first successful regional PSO, the ECOWAS Cease-fire Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) missions in Liberia and Sierra Leone in the 90s. While I do not want to bore you with the details of the missions, it should be mentioned that they had tremendous impact on the restoration of peace and security as well as return of democratic governance in those countries at that time.
What is more significant in all this is the fact that Nigeria’s ECOMOG initiative was the first test case of peace enforcement where we deployed, at the mission’s height, over 12,000 men of our Armed Forces, Operations. Our active
involvement in Peace Support
Operations (PS
O) has b een consistent with our foreign
and defense policies sin ce independ
ence which
among he ty on t e and securi peac ensuring m at others ai
African
contine nt a
nd the wor ld a t larg
e b y par ticipating
in
multilate ral se cur ity ar rangem ents thr ough the
U
N, AU over the y, ations. Consequentl ganiz gional or and other re
past 44 ye ars, Ni geria has cumulativel y d
eplo yed ove r
100,000 men and women in PSO together with huge
financial and mate riel resource
s. So f ar, Nige
ria has r of total numbe of the alf r h d in ove ipate partic
PSO
mounted by the UN, contributing
unit contingen ts, staff
offi cer and milita ry obs
erve rs, civilia n police a
nd civilia
n onal levels, Nigeria sub-regi ional and experts. At the reg
has been activel y invo
lved in missions mounted b y
OAU/AU and Economic Communit y of W
est African e st e 60s. W n th as i early S) as WA es (ECO Stat
art ed wi th
partic ipating with 2 bila tera
l missions in Tang any ika
(now Tanzania) in 1964 and Chad in 1979 which later
metamorphosed to an OAU Pan African Mission in the
early 80s. How ever,
our great est chal len
ges and
sacrifi ces wer e r
ecorded when we mad
e t he l argest
contribution to the first successful re
gional PSO, the Group (ECO Monitoring ECOWAS Cease-fire
MOG)
missions in L iberia and Sierra
Leone in the 90s. W
hile I
do not want to bore you
with the details of the
missions, ad tremendous y h it should be mentioned that the impact
on the rest oration of peace and securi
ty as wel l a
s ret urn
of democratic go vernan ce in those countries at that time.
What is mor e sig
nif icant in a ll this is the fac
t that st ca rst te fi was the initiative s ECOMOG ia’ Niger
se o f
peace enfor cement
wher e we deploy
ed, at t he m issi on’s
height, ove r 12,000 men of our Armed F
orc es,
transported and sustained in Liberia by the Nigerian Government. Lessons learnt from these missions impacted on our preparation for subsequent sub regional PSO.
Impact of the fall of the ‘Iron Curtain’ and Globalization
The fall of the “iron curtain” coupled with the impact of globalization resulted to the increase of inter and intra state conflicts particular on the African Continent. These events had a tremendous impact on Nigeria’s role in UN and regional PSO. The period therefore witnessed an upsurge in Nigeria’s participation in PSO. In the new millennium, we have continued to contribute troops and military observers to the peace efforts in UNMIL (Liberia), UNAMSIL (Sierra Leone) , UNMEE (Ethiopia and Eritrea), ONUCI (Cote d’Ivoire) and MONUC (DR Congo). In response to AU request, we have deployed troops to the AU mission in Sudan (AMIS). Our total troop’s contribution to ongoing PSO is 3,514 all ranks.
Capacity Building
Whereas African troops have respectable experience in peacekeeping at home and abroad alongside international troops including European armies, they have hitherto lacked an organizational framework, philosophy, or collective logistical structure that could be employed to keep peace on the continent. The AU has recommended the development of a common security policy and, by
transported and sustained in Lib eria b y the Nigerian
Government. L essons learnt from these
missions aration for subsequent sub impacted on our prep
reg ion al
PSO.
Impa ct of the f
all of th e ‘Iron Cu
rtain
’ an d
Globalization The fall of the “iron
curtain” coupled with the impact of
globa lization r
esulte d to the
incre ase of inter and intr
a
stat e conflic
ts pa rtic ular on the Afri can Cont
inent
. These e in UN geria’s rol emendous impact on Ni events had a tr
and reg ional PSO. The period th
eref ore witnesse d an
upsurge in Nige ria’s pa rticipation in PSO. In
the new d to contribute troops and millennium, we have continue
military observe
rs to the pe
ace e ffo rts in UNMIL
(L iberi a), UN AMSIL
(Sie rra L eon e) , UNMEE (E
thi
opia C (DR NU ote d’Ivoire) and MO I (C and Eritrea), ONUC
Congo).
In response to AU request, we have deplo
yed
troops to the AU mission in Sudan (AMIS). Our total
troop’s contribution to ongoi ng PSO is 3,514 all ranks.
Capacit y Buildi ng
Whereas A frican troops
have resp ectable ex
perience in
peacekeepi ng at
home an d abroad along
side int ernat
ional e hitherto ean armies, they hav troops including Europ
lacked an or ganizational fram
ework, philoso phy, o
r
collect ive l ogi stical stru cture t hat could be em
ploy ed to
keep peace on t he
contin ent. The AU has recomm
ended y and, b y polic common securit the development of a
y
2010, an African Standby Force capable of rapid deployment to keep or enforce the peace, would be established. The ASF would comprise of standby brigades in each of the five regions, and incorporate a police and civilian expert capacity. Thus, the Joint AU/G8 plan to enhance African Capabilities to undertake PSO, that aims to mobilize technical and financial assistance so that, by 2010, African partners are able to engage more effectively to prevent and resolve violent conflict on the continent, and undertake PSO in accordance with the UN Charter. If African conflict prevention, resolution and management mechanisms are to be made functional by 2010, the vital operational needs among others might include:
Strengthening the institutional capacity of the AU to
effectively plan, support and manage PSO.
The ongoing arrangements between AU, ECOWAS
and SHIRBRIG in establishing Planning Elements at the HQs to provide command, control, and information systems for standby forces needs to be vigorously pursued.
Encourage the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC)
when required to formulate credible and achievable mandates to be supported by well trained and robustly equipped forces.
Develop an effective African Chiefs of Defense Staff
Committee that will meaningfully contribute into the military decisions of the PSC.
Sharpen the conflict prevention of the AU as well as
strengthen the institutional capacities of the Early Warning Systems of the AU and regional organizations.
2010, an African Standby
For ce capabl e o
f rapid
deploy ment to keep or enfor
ce the pe ace, w
ould be
established. The ASF would comprise of standb
y orate ncorp ons, and i egi five r the each of es in brigad
a
police a nd civilia
n expe rt c apa cit y. Thus, th e J
oint
AU/G8 plan to e nhance
Afri can Capa bilities to u
ndert
ake ncia nd fina al a chnic ims to mobilize te PSO, that a
l
assistance so that, by 20 10, African
partners are able to
engag e mor e e ffe ctive ly to pr eve
nt a nd re solve violent
conflict on the conti nent, and und
ertake
PSO in n conflic frica If A er. hart he UN C th t e wi accordanc
t
prevention, resolution and mana gement me
chanisms are
to be made functional by 2010, the vital operational
needs among others mi ght include:
Streng thenin g the institutional c
apa cit y o f the AU
to ge PSO. upport and mana y plan, s effectivel
The ongoi
ng ar rangem
ent s bet ween AU, ECOW
AS
and SHIR BR IG in establishing Planning El
ements at the HQs to provide command, control, and
information syst ems for standb
y fo rces ne
eds to be
vigorousl y pursued.
Encourage the
AU Peac e and Se curity Council (P
SC) abl achiev and ble redi ate c rmul o fo red t when requi
e
mandates to be supporte d by w
ell trained and
robustly equipped forces.
Develop an
effect ive A fri can Chi
efs of D efens
e Staff
Committee tha t will me aning
full y c ontribute into the
military decisions of the PSC.
Sharpen the conflict prevention of the AU as well as
streng then the institutiona
l cap acitie s of the
Ear ly
Warning Syst
ems of the AU and r egi
onal
organizations.
International Coordination
There is also the need to encourage coordination of donor assistance and capacity building initiatives to avoid duplication and ensure cost effectiveness. There is the need for coordination and cooperation between the UN, EU and G8 to strengthen the planning and strategic management of the AU and sub-regional organizations.
Complimentarity of programs and partnership to ensure they focus on clearly defined African priorities can lead to the attainment of more tangible goals. On going efforts by Western partners to develop doctrine, procedures and equipment standardization and inter-operability needs to be accomplished by 2007. Also, the on going efforts by partners to assist AU and regional organizations develop data bases to support training and standby arrangements may need to be accomplished by 2007.
Effective mine action is an essential element of confidence-building to promote peace and stability in a post-conflict situation. The Demining school in Ouidah, Benin Republic needs to be expanded to accommodate the Anglophones.
Logistics
In a continent such as Africa, where volatile situations arise overnight, distances are vast, infrastructure is often nonexistent or inoperable, it is glaringly apparent that any viable Standby Force must be able to deploy within hours over a distance of thousands of kilometers. This would
International Coordination There is also the need to encoura ge coordin
ation of donor
assista nce and ca pacit
y building initiative
s to avoid
duplicat ion and ensur e cost
effect iveness. Th ere i
s t
he he UN, need for coordination and cooperation between t
EU and G8 to stren gth
en the planning and strate
gic
manage ment of the AU
and sub-regi onal or gani
zations. nership to e nd part rams a prog y of rit Complimenta
nsur e
they f ocu s on c learl y d efine d Afric
an pr ioritie s can le
ad
to the a ttainme nt of mor
e ta ngible go als. On goin
g eff ort s
by W estern pa rtners to develop doctrine, procedu
res and y n abilit -oper n and inter izatio ndard nt sta equipme
eed s to
be accompl ished b y 200
7. Also, t he on g oin
g ef forts b y
partners to assist AU and
regi onal org
aniz ations
develop rangements y ar data bases to support training and standb
may n eed to be accompli
shed by 2007.
Effe ctive mine a
ction is an e
ssentia l ele
men t of
confidence-building to p romote pea
ce and stabili ty in
a
post-conflict situation. The Demining school in Ouidah,
Benin Republic needs t o be ex
panded to accommodate es. the Anglophon
Logistics
In a contine nt suc
h a s Afri ca, wher e vola tile situa
tions astructure is often s are vast, infr ht, distance arise overnig
nonexistent or inoperable , it is gl
aringl y appar ent t
hat an y
viable Standby F orce mu st be able to deplo
y within hours
over a distanc e of
thousands of kilometers. This would
probably best bring out the issues of Logistics and Sustainability of the force to be so deployed.
Beyond the planning support, which is where the UN has an excellent track record, especially with the AU, there is the need to address the two critical aspects or requirements for PSO, as identified by African Chiefs of Defense Staff and the Ministers of Defense and Security of Africa in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Sirte, Libya respectively. These issues which continue to constrain peace support initiatives in Africa are the critical issues of LOGISTICS and FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY for PSO. The lack of Contingent Own Equipment (COE) has been one of the major problems of African peacekeeping forces. There is a need for deliberate efforts by partners to assist African forces to overcome this constraint by 2010. The establishment of AU and sub-regional logistics bases needs to be given priority to enhance rapid deployment and mission sustainability.
The depots when established could serve both the AU and sub-regional organizations in order to achieve economy of scale. Furthermore, availability of strategic airlift capability to enhance rapid deployment to African theatres needs to be addressed urgently.
Nigeria’s Continuing Efforts
As earlier mentioned, the changing nature of conflicts coupled with the multi dimensional challenges of PSO have made it incumbent on national governments to inject well trained and robustly equipped personnel in PSO. Arising from this, we have taken a giant step probably
best bring ou t the issues of L
ogi stics and
Sustaina bility of
the f orce to be so de
ploye d.
Bey ond the planning sup
port, which is where the UN has
an excel lent track record, especial
ly wi th t he A U, th ere is
the need t o add
ress the t wo criti
cal as
pects or can Chiefs of y Afri PSO, as identified b requirements for
Defense S taff and t he Mi
nist ers of Defense and Securit y
of Afri ca i n Addi s Ababa,
Ethiopia and Sirte , L
iby a
respe ctive ly.
These issue s which
continue to constr
ain critical issues are the in Africa peace support initiatives
of L OG IST IC S and F INANC
IA L S US TA INA BILI TY
for PSO. The lack of Conting ent Own Equipment
(COE) major problems of Africa has been one of the
n
peacekeepi ng for
ces. There i s a n
eed for deli
berat e
efforts b y pa rtners to as sist African forces
to ov
ercome The establishment of AU and this constraint by 2010.
sub-re giona l logi
stics base s need
s to be give n prior ity to
enha nce r
apid d eplo ym ent a nd mission sustaina
bility.
The depots when established could serve both
the AU order to achieve nizations in onal orga and sub-regi
economy of sc ale. Furth
ermore, av ailability o
f strate gic
air lift c apa bilit y to e nha nce ra pid deplo
yme nt to Af
rica
n y. gentl ressed ur theatres needs to be add
Nige ria’
s Cont inuing Effor
ts
As earlie r ment ioned, t he chan
gin g natur e of
conflicts
coupled with the multi dimens ional challenges
of PSO nme gover tional it incumbent on na made have
nts to
inject well trained and robustly equipp
ed perso nnel in
PSO. Arising from this, we
have take n a gi
ant step
towards the education and training of our peacekeepers in order to improve their operational capability and achieve their mission mandate. I will highlight the efforts made by Nigeria in this direction:
Unit Training: In the face of major regional and
global challenges, our training directives have been reviewed to cater adequately for training in PSO, drawing largely from the UN Standardized Generic Training Modules (SGTM 1) provided by the Military Division, Training and Evaluation Service (MD/TES) of the UN DPKO for unit and pre- deployment training. Formed units are now being taken through peacekeeping techniques and skills in the field and in the major training requirements. This has improved the operational skills of our troops and greatly assisted in their deployment to peace missions at short notice.
Operation ‘FOCUS RELIEF’: As a follow up to its
support to ECOWAS during the ECOMOG operations in Liberia and Sierra Leone, the US Government, in 2000/2001, under the exercise codenamed Operation FOCUS RELIEF trained some of our units in PSO. The package which was highly beneficial included training in tactical, operational and logistic aspects in Low Intensity Conflicts (LIC) and PSO. The training also included the provision of minimal clothing, personnel equipment and transport to benefiting units. A total of 6 Nigerian Army units benefited from this training package. Specialist train-
towards the education and training of our peaceke
epers in
orde r to impr ove the
ir o per ationa l cap
abilit y a nd a chie
ve ts ma for ef ght the hli I will hig te. mission manda their
de
by Ni geria in this directi on:
Un it Tr aining:
In t he face of m ajo
r regi onal and
global ch allenges, our tr
aining directives have b
een raining in PSO, y for t adequatel ater reviewed to c
drawing lar gel y f rom the UN Standardi
zed G ene ric
Training Modul es (SGTM 1) provided b
y the
Military Division, Train ing
and Evaluation Ser
vice KO for unit and (MD/TES) of the UN DP
pre-
deployment trainin g. Formed units are now b
eing
take n throug
h pea cek eep ing te chnique
s and skills in quireme ning re trai major d and in the iel the f
nts. This
has improved the operational skills of our troops and
great ly assist ed in t hei r deplo yment to pea
ce missions at short notice.
Operation ‘F
OCUS RE LIE F’:
As a f
ollow up to its the ECOMOG S during support to ECOWA operations in L iberi a and Sierra
Leone, the US
Government, in 2000/2001, under the ex
ercise F trained s LIE FOCUS RE codenamed Operation
ome
of our units in P SO. Th e package which was hig
hly
beneficial included trai ning in ta ctic
al, oper ationa
l ) ts (LIC flic nsity Con Inte s in Low pect as istic and log
and PSO. The training al so included the provision of
minimal clothing, personnel equipment and transport
to bene fitin g units. A total of
6 Ni ger ian Ar my u
nits ain- ialist tr e. Spec packag aining d from this tr fite bene
the-trainers course were also organized for officers of these units, and this has helped to enhance the continuous training of these and other units with the exit of the US Training Team.
Capacity Building Initiative: Since the year 2000,
the Nigerian Armed Forces have benefited from several capacity building initiatives provided bilaterally or through multilateral organizations, agencies and donors from Western countries.
Recently, we participated actively in EX RECAMP IV in the Republic of Benin. However, while we observed that much of these Western initiatives provide tangible benefits, including training and confidence building, they do not address the most crucial need of African peace support endeavors, namely the issue of logistics sustainment and funding for the deployment of African peace missions. In order to target external initiatives against real needs for the enhancement of operational capability especially the deployment of rapid deployment forces, the relevant initiatives should shift from training to logistic support and funding.
Pre-Induction Training: Additional to unit training,
there is an intensive 6-weeks pre-induction training package being organized for units that are earmarked for induction to peace support missions. The curriculum outline for the program includes the organization and composition of peacekeeping forces, peacekeeping concepts, geo-political briefs on the the-t
rai ners course we
re al so org aniz ed for of ficers
of
these units, and
this ha s helpe
d to enha nce the
continuous training o f th ese and other units with
the Team. exit of the US Training
Capaci
ty Bu ild ing Ini tiative:
Since the ye ar 2000,
the Nigeri an Armed Forces have benefited f
rom
seve ral cap aci ty buil ding
initiative s provi
ded
bilate rall y or thr oug h multila tera
l organiza
tions, from Western coun agencies and donors
tries.
Recent ly, we part ici
pat ed act ivel y i n EX R EC
AMP
IV in the Republic of Benin. Howev
er, while
we tives stern initia se We f the h o d that muc observe
provide tangible ben efi
ts, including training and
confidence building , they
do not address the
most n peace support endeavors, crucial need of Africa
name ly the issue of logi
stic s sustainme
nt a nd fun ding
for the deplo ym ent of Afri
can pea ce missi
ons.
In
orde r to ta rget e
xte rna l initiative
s a gainst r eal ne
eds l capabilit ationa of oper ment nce enha the for
y
especial ly t he depl oym
ent of rapid deployment
forces, the relevant initiatives should sh
ift from g. gistic support and fundin training to lo
Pre
-Induc tion Tr
aining:
Additional to unit tr ain
ing ,
there is an intensive 6 -weeks p
re-induction tr aining
package bei ng or
gani zed for units
that are earm
arked
for induction to peace
support missions. The for the ulum outline ric cur
prog ram inc ludes the
organiza tion and com positi
on of peacekeepi ng for ces,
peac eke epin g conc epts, geo-
political brief s on the
host country, code of conduct and the mission mandate. Additionally, instructions on laws of war, humanitarian assistance and cooperation with NGOs, operational and non-operational safety measures are included. There is also a 2-days package on humanitarian international law conducted by the ICRC. The pre-induction training usually culminates into field exercises on tactical and logistics requirements for the mission.
Middle Cadre and Train-the-Trainer Courses:
The middle cadre training for our personnel is conducted at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Infantry Corps Center and School (ICCS) and the Nigerian Army College of Logistics (NACOL). The AFCSC peace support package is an intensive 2-weeks package dealing with the theory and practice of PSO in the field at the operational level, including an introduction to the UN system, conduct of humanitarian operations, principles for the conduct of PSO, lessons learnt from past and ongoing missions, dynamics and future of contemporary UN peacekeeping and the institutional, military and legal background to peacekeeping. The NACOL has a similar package dealing basically with UN operational logistics staff check, supply, transportation and movement control, maintenance and medical support. We also subscribe to peacekeeping courses and seminars in regional peacekeeping centers and institutes around the world for middle cadre and train-the-trainer courses.
host country, code of conduct and the mis
sion
mandate. Additionally, i nstructions on laws of war, humanitarian assistance and cooperation with NGOs,
operational and non-oper ational safet
y me asures are
included. There is al so a 2-days
pack age
on l law conducted by the humanitarian internationa
ICRC. The pre-induction tra
ining usuall
y c ulmina tes
int o fi eld ex ercises on t
actical and log
ist
ics requirements for the mission.
Mid dle Cad re and
Train -the-T rai ner Cou
rses: personnel for our training The middle cadre
is
conducted at the Armed Forc
es Command and Staff
College (A FC SC), Inf ant ry Corps Center and Sc
hool ogi L e of my Colleg n Ar ria Nige and the (ICCS)
stic s
(NACOL ). The A FCSC peac
e support packa ge i s an
int ensi ve 2-weeks p ackage deal
ing with the t heor
y onal and practice of PSO in the field at the operati
level, including an introduction to the UN s yst
em,
conduct of humanitarian operations, principles for
the
conduct of PSO, lessons lear
nt from past and ongoing future of contempora amics and missions, dyn ry
UN
peac eke epin g a nd the in
stitutional, m ilitary
and l ega l
backgr ound to pe
acekee ping. The NACOL
has a with UN y all basic aling ge de cka similar pa
operational logistics staff check, suppl
y,
transportation and movement contr
ol, m ainte nanc
e to e also subscribe and medical support. W
peacekeepi ng
courses and sem inars i
n r egi onal
peacekeepin g cente
rs and institutes around the w orld
for middle cadre and tr ain-the-traine
r courses.
Strategic Level Training: In addition to the above training facilities, the National War College (NWC) – Abuja has been restructured and refocused to handle strategic level training in PSO for the sub-region. The college hosted the UN Challenges Seminar in June 2004, the UN Training Assistant Team (UNTAT) Course and UN Senior Managers’ Course in 2005.
The African Standby Force (ASF) and Nigeria’s Peacekeeping Wing (PKW)
In line with the Brahimi Report, plans have reached an advance stage for the establishment of an African Standby Force (ASF). Our contribution to the West African Standby Brigade, which is part of the ASF, shall be substantial in view of our present role in PSO. In order to meet the constant demand for Nigerian participation in PSO and our future commitment to ASF, a PKW was established in the Infantry Corps Center and School at Jaji. The aim of the PKW is to provide realistic tactical training to junior team leaders and commanders while at the same time complementing the knowledge gained by Nigerian personnel from other regional and international peace keeping centers. The PKW is fully supported by the British Government, and a Small Training Team (STT) from the British Army conducted a Method of Instruction Course to officially commission the wing.
Stra tegic Leve
l Training:
In addition to the above
training f acilitie
s, the N ationa l War Colle
ge ( NWC) –
Abuja has been restructu red and re
focused to handle PSO for the sub-region. The c level training in strategi colle ge hoste d the UN
Cha lleng es Se minar in
June
2004, the UN Training Assistant Team (UNT
AT) ’ Course in 2005. gers Course and UN Senior Mana
The A fric an St andby F
orc e ( AS F) and Nige ria’
s
Pea cek eeping Wing ( PK
W)
In line with the Brah
imi Repor t, plans ha
ve r eac hed a
n can ent of an Afri ishm abl he est age for t advance st
Standby Forc e (ASF). Our contribution to the W
est
African Standb y B
rig ade, which is part of th e ASF
, shall in PSO. In present role of our be substantial in view
order
to meet the constant demand fo r Nige
ria n par ticipa tion in
PSO and our futur
e c ommitme nt to ASF
, a PK W was
established in the Infant ry Corps Center and Sc
hool at listic ta rea W is to provide the PK aim of Jaji. The
ctic al
trai ning to j unior t eam leaders and com
mand ers while
at
the sa me time comple
menting the kno
wledg e gaine d b
y rnational ional and inte r reg rsonnel from othe Nigerian pe
peace keepi ng c
ent ers. The P KW
is ful ly supp orted b
y
the Br itish Govern
ment , and a Sma ll Trai
ning Te
am cted a Method of (STT) from the British Army condu
Instru ction Course to offici
ally com missi on the wi
ng.
The present Situation regarding the African Standby Force (ASF)
The prospects for the establishment of ASF are very high with the development of AU/regional defense and security mechanisms, force structures and concept of operations (CONOPs). There is a desire to see that the AU standby arrangement mechanism is realized as most African countries have already pledged forces to regional brigades under ASF. Nigeria has pledged 1 x Inf Bn, 1 x Recce Bn, 1 x Arty Regt, 1 x Engr Regt, 1 x Sig Sqn and level II medical hospital. However, the above dream will not go beyond rhetoric unless the following issues are urgently addressed:
1. On-going restructuring of the AU and regional HQ to
develop institutional capacity to support ASF and PSO should be accomplished soonest.
2. Plan for establishing and equipping of logistics
depots for ASF needs to be completed soonest.
3. On going effort to develop doctrine and related
documents on procedures, SOPs, techniques and guidelines to ensure command, control and communication of ASF and regional brigades needs to be accomplished soonest.
4. Member states of AU need to accept assessed budget
quotas to raise money for the ASF Trust Fund.
5. There should be increased consultation, cooperation
and coordination between the UN, AU and sub- regional organizations to ensure the standby mechanism attain its objectives.
The pr ese nt Sit uat ion regar
ding th e A fric an S tandby
For ce (ASF
) The prospects for t he est
abl ishm ent of AS
F are very hi gh
with the development of AU/region
al defense and es and concept ructur orce st s, f sm mechani security
of
operations (CONOP s). There is a desir
e to see that the
AU standb y arr ang emen t m echanism
is real ized as m
ost onal egi d forces to r pledge ready African countries have al
brigad es under ASF
. Ni geria has pled
ged 1 x I nf Bn, 1 x
Recce Bn, 1 x Art
y R egt , 1 x Engr R
egt , 1 x S ig Sqn and
leve l II medic al hospita l. Howeve
r, the abov e dr
eam will issues are etoric unless the following yond rh not go be
urgently address ed:
On-going restru 1.
cturing o f the A U and
regi onal H Q to
develop institutional capacit y to support ASF and
PS O should be accomplished soonest.
Plan for establishing 2.
and equipping o f log istics
depots for ASF n eeds to be completed soonest.
3.
On goin g e ffort to develop doctrine and r
ela ted
documents on procedures
, SOPs, techniques and command, control and guidelines to ensure communication of ASF and re
gional brigades n eeds
to be accom pli
shed soon est.
Member st 4.
ates of AU n eed t
o a cce pt assess ed budg
et
quotas to raise money for the ASF Trust F
und.
5.
There should be increas
ed consultation, cooper
ation sub- U and N, A en the U and coordination betwe
regi onal organiz
ations to ensure the standb
y
mech anism a ttain its obje
ctive s.
Conclusion
I should like to conclude this brief presentation on an optimistic note by acknowledging that there are many opportunities to expand the interface between African countries and our Western partners for peace operations.
If we work together, we shall maximize the advantages.
Judging from ECOWAS experience, the greatest drawback is the lack of capacity for sustaining PSO once launched. Therefore it is felt that effective Conflict Resolution and the maintenance of International Peace and Security would be enhanced if the Regional Standby Units are provided with appropriate logistics assets. They can intervene faster and cheaper. They can also set the stages for the UN to intervene later as ECOWAS has demonstrated in Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
The burden placed on Nigeria by the leading role she is playing in PSO particularly in Africa is quite enormous in view of the requirement of the Brahimi Report to deploy well trained and robustly equipped personnel in peace missions. It is in this connection that we implore all stake holders especially our good friends and partners to support us in the noble venture particularly in the area of training and institutional capacity building as well as in augmenting our deficiencies in logistic support. Over the last 3 years, discussion on strengthening African PSO capacity, establishment of an African Standby Force (ASF) and regional standby forces and requirements as well as priorities for achieving same are almost exhaustive. Concrete recommendations have been proffered in many fora but whether there is commitment, political will and resources on the part of the Conclusion
I should like to conclude th is brief presentation on an knowle by ac optimistic note
dgin g th at the re are many
opportunities to expand the interface betw een African
countries and our Weste rn part ners for pea
ce op
erations. adv ze the ximi we shall ma ther, k toge e wor If w
antag es.
Judg ing from EC
OWAS experi
ence, the great est
drawback i s t he l ack of capaci
ty for sust aini
ng P SO once
launc hed. The ref
ore it is f elt
that e ffe ctive Conf
lict ace national Pe nter f I nce o intena nd the ma Resolution a
and Securit y would be enhanced
if the Re gional Standby
Units are provide d with appr
opria te logistic
s assets. They can al They cheaper. er and ene fast erv can int
so set the
stage s fo r the UN to interv
ene later as ECOWAS ha s
demonstrated in Cote d’Ivoire , Lib
eria and Sierra Leon
e.
The burden placed on N ige
ria b y t he l eading role she i s
playin g in PSO p artic
ularly in Af ric a is quite e nor
mous
in view of the re
quireme nt of the
Br ahimi Re
port to ed personnel in tly equipp trained and robus deploy well
peac e missions.
It is in this c
onnection tha t we
implore
all stake holders especially our good friends and
partners rticularly in to support us in the noble venture pa the area
of tr aining and institutio
nal c apa cit y building as
well a s
in augm enting our defici encies in logistic suppor
t. Over frican PSO g A gthenin ars, discussion on stren the last 3 ye
capaci ty, establ ishm ent of
an Afri can S tandb y For ce
(ASF) and regi
onal stan dby fo
rces and r equirem
ents as
well a s pr ioritie s for
ach ieving same
are a
lmost been ave recommendations h exhaustive. Concrete
prof fer ed in many
for a b ut whe the r there is com mitment,
political will and r
esour ces on the part
of the
beneficiaries, UN, regional organizations and Western militaries, remains the major concern.
Therefore, with on-going efforts at improving the capabilities of regional organizations and their arrangements for peace operations, there is now an opportunity for the UN to effectively partner these regional organizations. The UN will need to recognize what it should retain, what it should pass on to regional organizations and arrangements when practicable, and how to best develop effective cooperation to make the most effective use of available resources.
Nigeria will continue to play a major role in PSO for the maintenance of global and regional peace and security.
Our training drive is based upon our experiences in past missions and the need to inject high quality peacekeepers in PSO. Thus, besides the concrete steps that we have taken locally to ensure adequate training for our personnel, we also subscribe to peacekeeping courses in the institutions around the World in order to meet our needs and modern trends.
It is my wish that my presentation will provide a contribution in our common efforts to make the world a safer place.
beneficiaries, UN, regi
onal or ganiz
ations and Western
militari es, r ema ins the ma
jor c oncern.
Therefore, wi th on-
goi ng e fforts at
im provi ng t he
cap abilitie s of reg
iona l organiza
tions and the
ir ow an re is n e operations, the r peac arrangements fo
opportunity fo r the U
N to ef fectively
partner thes e
reg iona l organiza
tions. The UN will ne ed to r
eco
gnize gional what it should retain, what it should pass on to re
organizations and arran gem
ents when practic able, and
how to best develop effective cooper ation to m
ake the
most effective use of av ailable resourc
es.
Niger ia will c ontinue to
play a major ro le in PSO for
the
mai nte nance of gl
obal a nd regional
peace and s ecurity
. periences in past rive is based upon our ex Our training d
missions and the need to inject hig h quality pea
cekeepers
in PSO. Thus, besides t he concre
te steps that we have re adequate training taken locally to ensu for our
personnel, we also subsc ribe to pea
cekeepin g co urses in
the institutions around the World in orde r to meet our
needs and modern trends.
It is m y wish tha
t my pr ese nta tion will provide
a
contribution in our common effo rts to make the
world a safer place.
