Since the advent of democracy in 1994, domestic and international expectations have steadily grown regarding South Africa's role as a responsible and respected member of the international community. These expectations have included a hope that South Africa will play a leading role in international peace missions.
The nature of these missions has changed dramatically over the past decade. They are now complex multidimensional conflict management operations with a diplomatic/political focus. The military is now but one of many role players in processes in which civilians and police officers have become increasingly essential to mission success.
The South African approach to conflict resolution is strongly informed by its own recent history. This strong national interest and experience in the peaceful resolution of seemingly intractable conflicts compels us to participate in peace missions to alleviate the plight of other peoples who are struggling to resolve similar conflicts.
South Africa may thus provide civilian assistance, armed forces and police officers for common international efforts when properly authorised by international and domestic authorities to help in such missions. South Africa will therefore support the United Nations and, where relevant, the Organization of African Unity and the Southern African Development Community by making an appropriate contribution to international peace missions.
South Africa's potential contributions include the voluntary services of a diverse group of civilians with expertise and experience in areas which may be fundamental to the success of a peace mission (conflict resolution, election monitoring, medical care, demining, telecommunications, etc.). The government will facilitate the selection of such people for specific peace missions. This will be done through the creation of a suitable readiness system or resource bank of competent personnel residing in South Africa who are available for international assignments.
South African policemen and women are also well-suited for service as UN civilian police officers and are capable of assisting international efforts to ensure that law and order are maintained effectively and impartially, and that human rights and fundamental freedoms are fully protected. South Africa will therefore prepare a limited number of experienced SAPS personnel for voluntary deployment in support of peace missions.
In terms of the mandate of the SANDF, participation in international peace missions is a secondary function. The "Growth-Core Force Design" recommended in the Defence Review "provides for participation in peace support operations at the level of up to one infantry battalion group". The Defence Review also notes that: "The SANDF has particular skills and expertise in communications, field engineering (including mine-clearing), medical, and command and control functions which are relevant to peace support operations". The SANDF will formalise its potential contribution to international peace missions through an appropriate readiness system. This will include notifying the UN Secretariat of available contributions and determining appropriate tables of personnel and equipment in collaboration with DPKO.
In principle, the level and size of South African contribution to any particular peace mission will depend on how closely the mission relates to our national interests and the type of demand that exists for the type of contributions outlined above. The deployment of a national military contingent requires a clear international mandate. Sufficient collective means must also be available for the execution of this mandate.
South African support depends on the principle of volunteerism and clear criteria for entering and exiting the peace mission with our national pride intact.
South Africa will continue to co-operate with regional partners, especially those within the SADC, in enhancing its capacity to participate in international peace missions. South Africa will also continue to welcome foreign offers of assistance with improving the quality of South Africa's contributions to international peace missions, but we shall not rely on any single donor for the provision of such assistance.
South Africa's Permanent Mission to the United Nations will remain fully seized of the country's potential diplomatic, military and police contributions to peace missions and will communicate these to the UN Secretariat on a regular basis. The Permanent Mission will also solicit information from the Secretariat as to the needs of the UN in terms of contributions to existing and new peace missions.
While government should do everything in its power to facilitate voluntary international service by individual South Africans, the deployment of a national military contingent in support of an international peace mission will always be subject to more rigorous procedures, which will be refined with growing experience of deploying on international service. Such experience can only be gained by converting potential resources into actual capabilities. It is hoped that this White Paper will initiate such a process.
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