Schweizer Armee Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT. World-wide: deployment as UN military expert on mission or staff officer

Transcription

1 Schweizer Armee Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT World-wide: deployment as UN military expert on mission or staff officer

2 Worldwide Swiss officers on mission 32 Swiss officers on peace support missions. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 2

3 Current missions Swiss officers serve in PSO missions in these countries. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 3

4 Principles for a UN mission Conflict UN-Resolution Consent of conflicting parties Finances Mandate Troops Deployment Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 4

5 Process of a UN non-armed peace mission Permanent mission to UN informs DFA DFA informs DDPS Decision by the head of the DDPS in cooperation with the DFA Offical note to the complete Federal Council Planning, recruiting and training by SWISSINT Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 5

6 National legal basis Swiss Military Code Article 1, item 4 and article 66: Mission of the Armed Forces, Art. 1, item 4: They contribute to international peace support. Mandate related decisions of the Swiss Federal Council / Parliament Military service regulations (DR 04) annex on peace support service Tactics Field Manual (TF) XXI chapter 11 peace support operations Decree on peace-keeping operations personnel, enhancing human rights and humanitarian aid of 25 August 2009 peace support service of 26 February 1997 Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 6

7 Compatible with our neutrality 1. UN-mandate 2. Agreement of the conflict parties 3. Legal basis Swiss military law: - Art. 1, Para. 3 - Revised article 66 (66a / 66b) Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 7

8 Military observer duties They observe They patrol They talk to various actors on both sides of the cease-fire line They report to UN headquarters Military observers are always unarmed. To ensure impartiality they serve in small international teams. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 8

9 Liaison officer duties Patrol in international teams in collaboration with the local armed forces Ensure contact between the UN and local key protagonists (governmental authorities, international and regional relief organisations) Provide the connective element between the UN mission and the local armed forces Liaison officers are never armed. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 9

10 Staff officer duties Work in an international military staff Operate in various fields: evaluation of intelligence, planning, operations, logistics and training Work location at main or sector headquarters Staff officers are never armed. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 10

11 Requirements Officers from first lieutenant upwards Between 25 and 50 years of age Completed vocational training or studies Driving license Solid oral and written command of the English language Negotiation skills and diplomacy Mental and physical stamina Completed course (SUNMOC) Willing to serve on a mission for a year after completion of training Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 11

12 Recruitment Public call for tenders SWISSINT personnel pool Recruitment procedure / assessment Training course SUNMOC (5 weeks) Driving course for armoured vehicles (2 weeks) Preparatory course for mission (1 week) ) Deployment Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 12

13 SUNMOC SUNMOC = Swiss United Nation Military Observer Course Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 13

14 Middle East (UNTSO) 15 Swiss nationals are serving in UNTSO.. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 14

15 UNTSO mandate Supervise the armistice Supervise the truce on the Golan Heights and in Southern Lebanon Collaboration with the two blue helmet missions of UNIFIL (UN Interim Force in Lebanon) and UNDOF (UN Disengagement Observer Force). Military observers are able to support these missions within the context of their tasks. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 15

16 Mission routine 5 stations: Jerusalem (HQ), Golan Israeli side, Lebanon (Southern Lebanon + Beirut), Syria (Damascus) and Egypt The observation posts (OPs) on the Golan Heights are simply furnished, cleaning and cooking are part of the UNMO s tasks (2 to 4 on each OP) Duty on an OP is usually for 7 days; subsequent return to base for at least 3 days The UNMOs tasks vary greatly depending on where they have been deployed Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 16

17 DR Congo (MONUSCO) 4 Swiss nationals are serving in MONUSCO. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 17

18 MONUSCO mandate The protection of civilians has top priority, but MONUSCO also protects humanitarian staff, UN personnel, infrastructure and equipment Supports in co-operation with national and international partner governments efforts to strengthen military capacity, incl. military justice and military police Supports renewal of police forces Assists the government in consolidating state authority in areas that could be liberated from armed groups Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 18

19 Mission routine Swiss officers are deployed as staff officers to the sector headquarters in Goma Mission languages English and French Six working days a week Accommodation in civilian buildings The Swiss Armed Forces also give MONUSCO support with specialists for mine action Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 19

20 South Sudan (UNMISS) 2 Swiss nationals are serving in UNMISS. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 20

21 UNMISS mandate Support of government in protecting civilians. Support in consolidating peace and thus long-term state forming and economic development Support of government in carrying out its responsibilities in conflict prevention, conflict mitigation and resolving conflict Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 21

22 Mission routine Successor mission of UNMIS The Swiss work as staff officers Mission language is English Six working days a week Accommodation in residential containers The Swiss Armed Forces also give UNMISS support with specialists for mine action Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 22

23 Mali (MINUSMA) 6 Swiss national is serving in MINUSMA. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 23

24 MINUSMA mandate Stabilising the most important population centres and assisting in the re-establishment of the government s authority throughout the country Supporting the implementation of the transition plan, including national political dialogue and election process Protecting civilians and UN staff Promoting and safeguarding human rights Creating a safe environment so that humanitarian relief organisations are able to carry out their work Supporting national and international law Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 24

25 Mission routine Two Swiss officers are deployed as staff officer to the operation cell of MINUSMA and another four staff officers for MINUSMA ASIFU (All Sources Information Fusion Unit) Mission language is English and French Six working days a week Three locations: Bamako (HQ), Gao and Mopti Reside in UN quarters The Swiss Armed Forces also support this mission with specialists for weapons and ammunition stockpile management Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 25

26 Kashmir (UNMOGIP) 3 Swiss nationals are serving in UNMOGIP. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 26

27 UNMOGIP mandate UNMOGIP has existed since 1948 and is a classical military observer mission. UNMOGIP's current mandate comprises the following task: Monitor developments that relate to compliance with the armistice of 17 December 1971 and report these to the UN Secretary General. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 27

28 Mission routine One of the oldest missions (since 1948) Small mission with about 40 military observers Mission language is English Accommodation in apartments Patrols also in alpine terrain Change of headquarters between Islamabad/Pakistan (November-April) and Srinagar/India (May-October) Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 28

29 Western Sahara (MINURSO) 2 Swiss nationals are serving in MINURSO. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 29

30 MINURSO mandate MINURSO's mandate comprises the following tasks: Monitoring the armistice Verification of troop reduction agreed on by the conflicting parties Monitoring of troop restrictions, weapons and ammunition Providing security for repatriating refugees Identification and registration of voters Organisation and implementation of a referendum on the independence of the Western Sahara or its integration into Morocco. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 30

31 Mission routine The Swiss nationals are stationed as military observers in the area of operations on both sides of the sand wall. Mission languages English and French Six working days a week The Swiss Armed Forces also give MINURSO support with specialists for mine action Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 31

32 Middle East: Swiss military observer on the Golan Heights. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 32

33 Middle East: an observer post on the Golan Heights. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 33

34 DR Congo: a Swiss staff officer on duty. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 34

35 DR Congo: Swiss staff officer at headquarters. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 35

36 South Sudan: Such road conditions are commonplace. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 36

37 South Sudan: Swiss staff officer. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 37

38 Mali: UN headquarters of MINUSMA. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 38

39 Kashmir: since January 2014, the Swiss are on the team. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 39

40 Kashmir: Swiss military observer on patrol. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 40

41 Western Sahara: The patrols traverse endless deserts. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 41

42 Western Sahara: Swiss military observer on patrol. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 42

43 International cooperation Swiss nationals are appreciated by other armed forces because: apart from their military expertise, Swiss officers also provide much civilian knowledge and skills thanks to their technical expertise, the Swiss officers are able to contribute to the success of a mission with niche products that are in demand the Swiss officers are multi-lingual the Swiss officers are willing to make concessions. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 43

44 Impression on location The local population, authorities and organisations appreciate the Swiss soldiers because: Switzerland is neutral Switzerland has no colonial heritage and Swiss soldiers are thus best suited to serve as peace-keepers. Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 44

45 Added value for the Swiss Armed Forces The following practical experience is gained by the Swiss Armed Forces from missions abroad 12 months of real mission deployment abroad Practical operational command with strict security conditions Operational cooperation with other armed forces Communication across great distances Logistic supply across international borders Schweizer Armee / Kompetenzzentrum SWISSINT 45