Exploring challenges associated with the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) Peace Support Operations (PSOs) in Liberia (2004-2008)
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Date
2014
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Abstract
This thesis frames a study undertaken to explore key management challenges associated with the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) during the peace support operations (PSOs) mandated by the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) in
the period 2004 to 2008. The purpose of the study is to conduct an in-depth analysis of the management challenges that confronted the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) during these operations. The Namibian Defence Force (NDF) was involved in a number of UN led peace support operations worldwide, before its participation in the United Nations peace support operations (PSOs) in Liberia over a period of four years (2004 – 2008). During the subsequent internal review it came to light that the Namibian Defence Force experienced a number of management challenges in relation to command, control and communications (C3). The review also revealed that the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) operational requirement capabilities were not well-matched with the United Nations’ standards and were not compatible with the United Nations Standing Operational Procedures (SOPs).
The peace support operations (PSOs) is expected to achieve its mandate within such constraints, support the myriad of relief agencies in its theatre of operations and to encounter the challenges which are situational dominance in this modern
environment, and they are obstacles in the way to realise the objectives of the mission. The research problem of this study was to explore the challenges associated with Namibia’s peace support operations in Liberia. In this regard, the research had reviewed the reports of problems registered by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) in general, and the Defence Headquarters (DHQs) in particular. The main objective of this research was to establish how management challenges with regard to command, control and communications affected the capability of the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) to fulfil its mandate during the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) Peace Support Operations (PSOs). The study was guided by the United Nations (UN) Charter, which was adopted and signed on 26 June 1945. The UN Charter provides the following relevant chapters for this study: Chapter VI is applicable for peacekeeping, Chapter VII relevant for peace enforcement and Chapter VIII regulating for regional peacekeeping operations, (UN, 2012, p. 155). The current United Nations meaningful reform is one of the serious steps taken in accordance with the Brahimi Report; therefore the researcher was also guided by the Brahimi’s Report with the ideas and purpose to consolidate the arguments of both documents in this study (Brahimi et al, 2000, p. 6). This study relied on interviews with participants involved in PSO’s in Liberia and on official records of the period under consideration such as monthly reports, end of
mission reports, army senior officers’ visits reports submitted etc. (Best and Kahn, 2006, p. 13). The researcher interviewed the five commanding officers and their five deputies, as well as the former Chief of Staff Army Operations at the Army Headquarters (AHQs). The interview appointment was also extended to the former Chief of Staff Defence Joint Operations, Plans and Training (COS JOPT) in the Defence Headquarters (DHQs), unfortunately he was not available during the interview period due to other commitments. Some of the staff officers who did their staff duties with the contingents and some military observers (MOs) and staff officers who were on the ground during that operation in Liberia from 2004 – 2008 were also included in the interview appointments. All the collected data which had been captured through personal interviews, audio tape recorders and questionnaires was transcribed onto a computer data base for analysis and interpretation.
Description
A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in Security and Strategic Studies.
Keywords
Namibian defence force, Peace support operations