UN combat force to target DRC rebels
A BBC report:
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The UN Security Council has approved the creation of a special combat force to carry out "targeted offensive operations" against armed groups in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
It is the first time the UN has given an offensive mandate to its troops.
The 2,500-strong brigade will be asked to "neutralise and disarm" rebels ......Troops from Tanzania, Mozambique and South Africa are due to form the bulk of the new brigade which is expected to be deployed by July.
Link:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-21972193
An interesting mix of contributors. IIRC Tanzania's last combat mission was to invade Uganda long ago (1978-79), Mozambique had a long running COIN campaign with RENAMO till 1992 and South Africa has some peacekeeping knowledge (see parallel thread:http://council.smallwarsjournal.com/...ad.php?t=15946
UN in DRC an offensive mandate?
TV Press-Pass remarked:
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Its interesting to me that this is the first UN force that's been given an offensive mandate like that.
I'm no expert, but the UN has given some missions 'an offensive mandate' before, although maybe not for a while. IIRC the original Congo UN Mission (ONUC?) took very clear offensive action over Katanga's attempt to secede.
Watching from afar I have doubts there is both the political will and military capability to undertake such a mission. It is quite possible that some current contributors to the peacekeeping mission will wish to leave if the bullets fly.
The problem is lost in translation
Taking a look at the UN website, it's no wonder most think of this as the first ever offensive UN force. Heck, it says so right here :rolleyes:
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The Security Council today approved the creation of its first-ever “offensive” combat force, intended to carry out targeted operations to “neutralize and disarm” the notorious 23 March Movement (M23), as well as other Congolese rebels and foreign armed groups in strife-riven eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
.... and created, on an exceptional basis, a specialized “intervention brigade” within the operation’s existing 19,815‑strong force.
As most of us already know, this is Bravo Sierra :D
Be careful what you wish for in this part of the world. The Congo has tested and swallowed the best of the UN to include nearly 20,000 peacekeepers. So now they are permitted to load their weapons and employ them ? Those attack helicopters with rockets were then (defensive) as well as useless ?