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The military elite in UN peacekeeping operations

The military elite is often mentioned in the Russian media. However, the question of the military elite in UN peacekeeping operations according to the professional criterion, kind, the style and content of our activities has not yet been considered. This topic is interesting to those, that peacekeeping operations are already underway 70 years, and Russia has been participating in UN peacekeeping for almost half a century - 45 years. In six operations, the military are full mission and force commanders, and in eight - the heads of missions are representatives of the UN Secretary General (including three women), whereas the generals, being subordinate to them, command military components. There are police generals in missions.

Currently underway 14 UN peacekeeping missions led by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DOPM), which is part of the Secretariat. The peacekeepers have at their disposal: 58 aircraft, 6 ships, 132 helicopter, 11 023 cars, 271 medical Center.

In the field are 90 821 human (including 10 785 police officers, 1355 UN military observers, 76 677 military contingents, 2004 staff officers). Budget - about 6,7 billion dollars., less by 1,47% compared to the previous period.

Peacekeeping missions are abbreviated for convenience., a mandatory component of which is the UN, the last letter means a country, where is the operation. Four missions have names and abbreviations in French.

For reference, we represent abbreviations of the current 14 peacekeeping operations: МООНППГ (Haiti), MOONRZS (West Sahara), MINUSKA (Central African Republic), MINUSMA (Had), MOONSDRK (Democratic Republic of the Congo), UNAMID (Darfur), UNDOF (Golan), UNFICYP (Cyprus), UNIFIL (Lebanon), UNISFA (Abyei), MOONK (Kosovo), MOONYUS (South Sudan), ГВНООНИП (India and Pakistan) and UNTSO (Near East).

In UN peacekeeping operations, the most important role is assigned to the commanders of peacekeeping missions, appointed by the UN Secretary General with the consent of the Security Council. Generals in UN blue berets are proud in many countries, many of them have become symbols of peacemaking not only in their homeland, but also for the entire world community. Among them are women generals. Symbolism, semantics and romance side by side.

WOMEN LEAD AND COMMAND THE MISSION

Peacekeeping activities in Cyprus are now led by three women: special representative, military component commander and military police adviser. Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of Mission with 2016 of the year is Elizabeth Spehar (Canada).

She has worked in the UN Department of Political Support since 2007 of the year. AT 2008 was a temporary representative in Cyprus. Before joining the UN for 12 years worked for the Organization of American States. BA, Master in International Relations, also has a diploma from the prestigious French University Pau.

Cyprus has 987 peacekeepers from 23 nations: military personnel - 752, policemen - 67, staff officers - 51 human. Russia sent to Cyprus 7 peacekeeping police, among them 4 women. For the second time, a female general becomes the UN force commander in Cyprus.

The order of appointment of commanders is as follows - the chairman of the Security Council informs the members of the council: "Your letter from 2 November 2018 years regarding the intention to appoint Major General Cheryl Pierce (Australia) for the post of commander of the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus was brought to the attention of the members of the Security Council. They took note of the intention, expressed in your letter. At the same time, the members of the Council again recalled paragraph 3 articles 101 Of the Charter of the United Nations ".

Important, that earlier this item was not mentioned in letters. The wording of this paragraph is as follows: “When recruiting and determining the conditions of service, one should be guided primarily by the need to ensure a high level of performance, competence and integrity. Due regard should be paid to the importance of recruiting staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. ".

The military elite in UN peacekeeping operations

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Consider the track record of the new commander.

Major General Sherrill Pearce became Commander of the Australian Joint Special Forces Group in Afghanistan in 2016, from 2013 by 2016 a year she served as Chief of Staff of the Australian Army, and with 2010 by 2012 year was the director of support for special operations. She also served as Commandant of the Defense Police Training Center and Commander of the 1st Military Police Battalion., was the head of the Australian unit and military observer in the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor in 2002 year. Pierce holds a BA in Asian Art, master's degree in policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism and Master of Arts Degree.

noticeably, that Australia's contribution to peacekeeping is modest: sent to two peacekeeping missions in total 32 peacemaker (military observers - 12, staff officers - 20), which gave the country 82nd place in terms of the number of supplied contingents from 124. Australian peacekeepers are in South Sudan and UNTSO. In Cyprus, except for the commander, no Australian peacekeepers. The thing is, that before the commander, usually, appointed from the units, on mission.

The police component is led by a senior mission adviser on, police-related. From November 2017 of the year it is Ann-Christine Quilekwal (Norway). In the police service, she 26 years. Was on peacekeeping missions in Lebanon, East Timor and Afghanistan. Graduated from the military staff college (Oslo). Continues to work towards her Master's Degree in Democracy Building (Bergen University).

And in the Middle East, Jerusalem, an important post is held by a female general from Norway.. UN Secretary General 6 October 2017 appointed Norwegian Major General Christine Lund as Chief of Staff and Chief of Mission of the UN armistice monitoring body in Palestine (ONVUP). This is her second command of the mission, and the first appointment was in Cyprus (2014–2016).

Christine Lund graduated from Command and Staff College, military university college and American military college, where she became a master in strategic studies. The rank of general was awarded to her in 2009 year. Participated in peacekeeping operations in Lebanon and Yugoslavia. AT 1991 participated in Operation Desert Storm, and was also part of the coalition forces in Afghanistan.

She successfully celebrated the 70th anniversary of the first UNTSO peacekeeping mission. In preparation for the event, she interacted with the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. In a letter addressed to the Chief of the General Staff of the RF Armed Forces, in particular, It noted: “I personally confirm the good work and service of your personnel in the mission. The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in the UN body monitoring the implementation of the ceasefire conditions (ONVUP) have a glorious history: currently six peacekeepers are in the mission area, including two women ".

Christine Lund 18 November 2018 participated in the high-level Cairo Peace Conference: "Improving the efficiency of peacekeeping operations: from mandate to completion ".

VISIT TO RUSSIA

Among the military peacekeeping elite, a military adviser to the Department of Peacekeeping Operations stands out. The current military adviser is Lieutenant General Carlos Umberto Loti (Uruguay). He was born in 1957 year. The rank "lieutenant general" was awarded to him in 2012 year. It is he who heads the Office of Military Affairs. Appointed in November 2016 of the year.

In the army, he is more 40 years. Last position - division commander. Was a military attaché in Washington, Head of the Office of Peacekeeping Operations in Uruguay. For five years was in several peacekeeping operations. Last time was in Chad and Central African Republic. Graduated from military staff college. Service in the international arena: military observer in Iran, Iraq (1990), Rwanda (1995), KING and Chade (2010).

Lieutenant General Carlos Umberto Loti visited the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation and the Foreign Ministry, where he was informed about the participation of Russian military personnel in peacekeeping operations, including those held under the auspices of the UN, programs available in the Russian Ministry of Defense for the training of peacekeepers, possible formats of interaction between the UN and the Russian Armed Forces on peacekeeping issues. Particular attention was paid to the issues of attracting female Russian military personnel to work in staff positions in UN missions. Then the general visited the exercises "Indestructible Brotherhood" in the Urals (28 October - 4 November 2018 of the year).

The military elite in UN peacekeeping operations

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This peacekeeping theme had a practical continuation: “According to the trip plan, Deputy Defense Minister of the Russian Federation Alexander Fomin visited at the end of November 2018 years ... the national school of peacekeeping operations of Uruguay, examined the location and main divisions, and also got acquainted with the presentation on the participation of the Uruguayan military contingents in the UN peacekeeping activities ".

A police chief wearing a UN blue beret is on the DPKO leadership list. It is Luis Carrillo (Portugal) - Chief of Police Department of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations. Appointed in November 2017 of the year. He has extensive experience in peacekeeping, served in four peacekeeping missions: Haiti, CAR, Timor, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Frequently visits peacekeeping missions in the field, takes an active part in peacekeeping activities. Graduated from the Institute of Higher Education with a degree in Police and Internal Security. Rank - Chief Superintendent. He does not part with the blue beret at events.

FIVE LIEUTENANT GENERALS

Major UN peacekeeping missions are commanded by lieutenant generals. There are five such missions: in the Congo, South Sudan, CAR, Mali and Darfur. These missions are considered the most difficult. Top command personnel of peacekeeping missions have good general and military training. Many senior officers have graduated from foreign higher education institutions or higher military courses. Many generals have a high level of knowledge of English.

Need to keep in mind, that the system of higher military education abroad has a number of features. The word "academy" does not always correspond to the Russian military educational institution called "academy", where is the higher military education given. Abroad, an academy can mean a military academy, where higher general and secondary military education is given. They say "academy", but mean military school.

Even the US military academy at West Point provides general and secondary military education. (term of study four years). To get a higher military education, you must complete a higher military college or higher military courses.

The military elite in UN peacekeeping operations

UN Force Commander in the DRC in 2018 year
appointed Lieutenant General Elias Rodriguez
Martins Filho (center left). Photo with
MONUSCO Flickr page

Higher military education is given at a number of colleges. for example, in the USA - Army Command and Staff College (ST), Military College SV, Armed Forces Staff College, National War College. The term of study in the listed colleges does not exceed 10-12 months.

Consider the command structure in African missions.

Force Commander (MOONSDRK) Lieutenant General Elias Rodriguez Martins Filho (Brazil) appointed in April 2018 of the year. He was born in 1960 year. FROM 2017 of the year was the head of the department of international organizations of the Brazilian Defense Ministry, formerly head of the intelligence department at the Ministry of Defense. In 2015-2016, he commanded the Military Staff College, and before that, in 2009-2011, - a battalion of the presidential guard. Has extensive peacekeeping experience: in DPKO served as a planning officer (2005–2008). He was Deputy Military Adviser to the Permanent Mission of Brazil to the UN. As a staff officer, he was in the UN mission in Angola (1995–1996). Holds an MA in International Relations from the University of Brazil. Graduated from the Higher Defense Military College.

United Nations Force Commander in South Sudan (MOONYUS) is Lieutenant General Frank Muscio Kamanzi (Rwanda). He was born in 1964 year. Prior to his appointment, he commanded the UN mission in Darfur. 2012-2015 Chief of Staff of the Rwandan Armed Forces. Commanded an infantry brigade and directed the Military Academy. Master in National Security Strategy, and also holds a bachelor's degree in agriculture. Graduated from the Command and Staff College in Nigeria and the Command College in China.

The Force Commander in the CAR is Lieutenant General Balla Keita (Senegal, was born in 1956 year), appointed commander in February 2016 of the year. Has extensive experience in operational and management work. Prior to his appointment, he was Deputy Mission Commander in Darfur, served as Chief of Operations for the Congo Mission, held important positions in missions in Liberia and Guinea-Bissau. In the Senegalese army, he served as inspector general and chief of staff. In military service 40 years. Received military education in France, USA and Germany.

The military elite in UN peacekeeping operations

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Police Commissioner Colonel Ossama El Mokhazi occupies an important position in the mission (Egypt), he graduated from the Police Academy in 1991 year. Took part in several peacekeeping missions: Yugoslavia, Haiti, Congo. Colonel Ossama has extensive experience in public order and security management, which are essential for the implementation of the mandate of MINUSCA, in particular reforming and strengthening the operational capacity of the internal security forces.

Mission Force Commander in Darfur (UNAMID) is Lieutenant General Leonard Ngondi (Kenya). Was born in 1959 year. FROM 2016 of the year headed the Military College of National Defense. He commanded a brigade and an infantry school. In 2015-2016, he commanded the Armed Forces of Kenya. Served in the following peacekeeping missions: Namibia (1990), Sierra Leone (2002), Liberia (2012 year, in command of the mission). Graduated from National Defense College and Defense Staff College in Kenya. Holds a Bachelor of Arts and Social Sciences. Currently preparing for her Master of Science in International Studies.

Force Commander (MINUSMA) Lieutenant General Dennis Jyllensporre (Sweden) appointed in August 2018 of the year. FROM 2014 served as Chief of Staff of the Swedish Armed Forces and was Commander of the Special Forces. Served in a peacekeeping mission in Sudan. FROM 2014 oversaw the planning and deployment of the Swedish contingent in Mali. Has extensive academic background: graduated from several universities in Europe and the USA, is the author of books and scientific articles on UN military strategy. Dedicates a lot of attention to leadership development and gender equality. She is a board member of the Anna Lind Academy.

In this way, generals in blue berets are honored people, educated, most have a master's degree. The Security Council regularly gathers all blue beret mission commanders for briefings at UN headquarters in New York. Several commanders are invited to thematic briefings, but there are also briefings in the form of a conference.

MAJOR GENERALS AND OTHER LEADERS

Smaller missions are commanded by generals with the rank of major general. Let's consider these missions in the chronological order of their creation..

In January 2019 celebrated 70 years since the establishment of the peacekeeping mission in Jammu and Kashmir (ГВНООНИП). Appointed Chief of Mission and Chief Military Observer 20 July 2018 Major General José Eladio Alquein (Uruguay). In the army, he is with 1977 of the year. Commanded a mechanized brigade. He was an instructor at the Military Staff College and in training courses for peacekeepers. Has extensive experience in peacekeeping, visited five peacekeeping missions: Rwanda, Angola, Kuwait, Congo and twice in Haiti. Graduated from the Uruguayan military college, currently pursuing a master's degree in political science. AT 2017 completed the course for senior leaders of UN missions. Last position - Chief of the Health Service of the Armed Forces. In his subordination is 41 military observer and 74 civilian personnel.

Since October 2017 Major General Francis Wib-Sanziri is Chief of Mission and Commander of UNDOF in the Golan Heights (Ghana). He was born in 1957 year, in the army with 1985 of the year. Made a successful military career nationally and internationally. Commanded an infantry battalion, served in high staff positions in the Ministry of Defense. Has extensive experience in peacekeeping. Served in UN peacekeeping missions in Lebanon, Rwanda, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Served for three years in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations at UN Headquarters. Master of Military Science, graduated from the Command and Staff College in Ghana and the USA.

In April 2018 appointed a new commander of the mission in the Abyei enclave - Major General Gebre Adhana Voldezgu (Ethiopia). He was responsible for the coordination of borders between neighboring countries. Participated in planning, training and deployment of peacekeeping forces in missions. Was born in 1963 year, is in the army 38 years, commanded a division. Last position - head of department in the Ministry of War. Defended his master's degree at the University of Civil Service (Ethiopia).

7 August 2018 years as the Chief of Mission and Commander of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) appointed Italian Major General Stefano Del Col. Notably, that this is the fourth Italian general, who is appointed to the post of commander, which for 40 years was 18. Passed the way from platoon commander to infantry brigade commander. Stefano del Cola has an impressive track record. He is a career officer in the Italian army. FROM 2009 by 2011 years he headed the Department of Strategic Defense and Operational Policy in the Ministry of Defense. FROM 2015 Del Col - Senior Deputy Chief of Cabinet at the Ministry of Defense. He previously took part in peacekeeping missions in Kosovo, Lebanon and Libya. AT 2008 he commanded the UNIFIL battalion, and in 2014-2015 he held the post of commander of the West sector and the Italian contingent in this structure.

The military elite in UN peacekeeping operations

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UN Force Commander in Western Sahara - Major General Wang Xiaoyong (China). Appointed in December 2016 of the year. This is the second Chinese general, who commands this mission. Was born in 1959 year, in the army 40 years. FROM 2006 by 2016 a year he was a military attaché in Brazil, Sweden and USA. 1992-1993 Military Observer in Kuwait, in 2003-2004 he commanded a sector in Western Sahara. Holds an MA in Military Administration and a BA in Communication Technology.

At the UN Mission in Kosovo (MOONK) are 18 peacekeepers (military observers - 8, policemen - 10), 312 civilian personnel and 21 volunteer. Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of Mission - Zahir Tanin (Afghanistan).

List 14 peacekeeping operations are completed by a mission in Haiti.

This is not the first mission on the island. The full name of the peacekeeping operation is the UN Mission for Justice Sector Support in Haiti (МООНППГ). There used to be military observers, and now - the mission is only police (1241 human). In summer 2018 Ms Helen Meager la Lyme appointed Special Representative and Head of Mission to Haiti (USA). She graduated from the National Defense University (It founded in 1976 year), holds a bachelor's degree in languages ​​and linguistics. Except English, speaks French, Spanish and Portuguese. Made a successful career, including high-level diplomatic posts.

The police component is led by Police Commissioner Serge Terriol (Canada). In early November, he briefed the Security Council, showed knowledge of English and French. Holds a master's degree in public administration, awarded the Order of Service to the Police.

RUSSIAN PEACEKEEPING ELITE AT THE UN

experts believe, that military elites in peacekeeping operations and peacekeeping activities are national pride. This raises the military and diplomatic prestige of the country.. In Russia, the abbreviation "ERA" even appeared - the elite of the Russian army.

Russian military and peacekeeping elite appeared at the end of November 1973 of the year, when 36 Soviet officers with knowledge of English, arrived in Cairo, were enrolled in UNTSO. It was an important military-diplomatic breakthrough. just 31 peacekeeping missions were visited by over 2,5 thousand. our officers - military experts of UN peacekeeping operations.

In the last century, Russia ranked first in the number of UN military observers, allocating over a hundred peacekeepers. To date, the Russian Federation has sent eight missions 85 peacekeepers: policemen - 40, military observers - 38, staff officers - 7, ranked seventh in the number of military observers, and in terms of the number of contingents supplied - 67th place (of 124).

Headquarters officers in UN missions occupy an important place in the peacekeeping elite. Russia sent just seven headquarters officers to three missions (WRC, South Sudan, Abyei).

Recently, there has been an important gender-military diplomatic breakthrough. Six of our female officers were assigned to three peacekeeping missions: ONVUP - 2, West Sahara - 2, Congo - 2 man. It is important to retain the post of head of the UNTSO liaison office in Damascus with the task of maintaining relations with the Office of the Senior Delegate of the Syrian Arab Republic.

Military experts of UN peacekeeping operations play an important role in the implementation of the foreign policy concept of our country, make a significant contribution to ensuring stability and security in the world. They adequately represent our aircraft abroad. Their high professionalism, patriotism and intellectual potential contribute to strengthening the international authority and influence of our country. And our veteran peacekeepers, celebrating the 45th anniversary of participation in the first UNTSO peacekeeping operation with 1973 of the year, still remember the generals in blue berets of the peacekeeping missions of that legendary time.

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