Peacekeeping - an alternative?
Peacekeeping deployments in Africa are doomed to failure until the UN
recognises that it is unacceptable issuing blue helmets to ill-equipped and
inadequately trained troops from helpful nations simply because they are the
only countries that proffer assistance, as has been demonstrated most
recently and regretfully in Sierra Leone. Establishing, enforcing and
maintaining peace in volatile regions in Africa requires a more robust and
effective form of intervention.
In the absence of participation in UN forces by countries such as the UK and
US perhaps the UN should consider a more radical solution -- continuing to
accept the offers of help from other nations but supplementing this by
contracting with private military companies to provide the cadre of
experienced officers and senior NCOs who can plan, lead and enhance the
skills of these forces in the field? These officers are professional
soldiers who will have been amongst the best in their national forces. PMCs
that provide them have already proven their ability to not just monitor but
to end conflict in Africa.
For some in the governments of developed nations and the UN the use of the
private sector has, until now, been an unacceptable option but until a
better practical alternative is proposed the people in the conflict regions
of Africa continue to suffer and die as a direct result of ineffective
intervention. They deserve the best chance of survival and peace -- any
political consequences of contracting with the private sector to deliver an
effective solution should take a back seat.
Sandline International