South Africa and by extension the country’s national defence force is currently winding down its lone active peacekeeping operation but this is not standing in the way of preparing soldiers and others for the specifics inherent in a deployment of this type.
That saw a 55-strong turnout representing the four SA National Defence Force (SANDF) services (Air Force, Army, Military Health Service and Navy) as well as an SA Police Service (SAPS) contingent at the Department of Defence (DoD) Training Command Peace Mission Training Centre (PMTC) for the 12-day introduction to peace mission course (junior) earlier in March.
During their time at the PMTC on the SA Army College campus in Thaba Tshwane, course attendees were exposed to the theoretical, by way of lectures, as well as hands-on practicals. All came through with a “competent” rating from PMTC instructors and course co-ordinators.
Course modules covered, according to Major Mpho Ketsekile, assistant course co-ordinator, included typology and management of conflict; United Nations (UN), African Union (AU) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) systems; international humanitarian law and AU and UN agencies legal frameworks as well as media liaison and relations, logistics, disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR), cultural and gender awareness and SEA (sexual exploitation and abuse).
Addressing attendees at the certificate presentation marking course end on 13 March, PMTC Officer in Charge, Colonel Jackson Dhlame, said peace missions are not just professional assignments – they are moral commitments as well. If and when they find themselves in a conflict zone, around a negotiating table or in a community meeting, they should be a steady presence in uncertain times, he said.
In his farewell message to course attendees Training Command Chief of Staff (CoS) Rear Admiral (JG) Kasaval Naidoo emphasised using the knowledge and skills acquired on course in future missions as well as planning of those missions.
The SANDF is in the process of withdrawing from the United Nations mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO). In mid-February, President Cyril Ramaphosa informed Parliament the employment of SANDF soldiers in the DRC would continue for six months for the purposes of completing the withdrawal. The SANDF has been deployed to the DRC for 27 years.
In January, the Presidency said South Africa ranks amongst the top ten troop contributing countries to MONUSCO, with a force presence of over 700 soldiers deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo in support of the Mission’s peacekeeping mandate.
