Proposals for an updated policy framework for South African participation in international peace operations

Abstract

Peace Operations (POs) continue to be the vehicle of choice when addressing and/or managing societies that are either in, or are emerging from, conflict. As evidenced by the existence of the 1999 White Paper on South African Participation in International Peace Missions (SAPIPM), as well as by South African deployments in United Nations (UN) and African Union (AU) POs in, amongst others, Burundi, the Ivory Coast, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Sudan, and the Central African Republic (CAR), South Africa clearly sees herself playing an important role in world POs, specifically those operating on the African continent. However, the 1999 White Paper on SAPIPM, South Africa’s core policy framework in the field of POs, is generally acknowledged to be outdated. In order to determine whether the 1999 White Paper on SAPIPM is outdated, the study is guided by the following main research question: With reference to South Africa’s 1999 White Paper on SAPIPM, what are the gaps in its policy framework as a result of contemporary developments in POs. The study identified and critically analysed the gaps that have been created by the development of the five scholarly identified contemporary developments in POs – the Brahimi Report; the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda; the call for ‘Robustness’; the Capstone Doctrine; and, the advent of the regionalisation of POs – within the current 1999 White Paper on SAPIPM. Further updates to, and inconsistences in, policy regulations and practice were also identified in a) the discrepancies between policy prescription and practice in the field of South Africa’s contribution to POs, b) the lack of inter-departmental coordination in South African considerations for involvement in POs, and c) the key inputs around the role of the SANDF in South Africa’s involvement in POs as specified by the 2015 South African Defence Review. Out of these developments, it was deduced that the WPS Agenda, the importance of peacebuilding (as addressed by the Brahimi Report) and the call for ‘robustness’ are of particular significance as they affect both the strategic and tactical success of POs. Furthermore, revision to the current White Paper on SAPIPM must have the intention to incorporate experiences gained, lessons learnt during SANDF deployments to POs, to integrate new structures, as well as the continental and regional security architecture that have been established since 1999. Doing so will certainly serve as a foundation for future South African involvement in POs on the African continent, and beyond. It was through this critical analysis and confrontation of the 1999 White Paper on SAPIPM that the study identified the necessary changes and updates required in order for South Africa to continue to make a meaningful contribution in its involvement in POs. The study concludes that the 1999 White Paper on SAPIPM is outdated, and recommendations are offered in order to ensure South Africa’s future POs involvement policy framework reflects contemporary international developments and practice.