Change of Command for Operation CROCODILE

DND Press Release

A change of command ceremony was held today in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for Operation CROCODILE as Colonel Cayle Oberwarth assumed command of Task Force DRC from Colonel Pierre Huet.

Outgoing Commander, Col. Pierre Huet (left), and incoming Commander Col. Cayle Oberwarth (right), signed the transfer of authority documents on July 7, 2017, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for the command of Op CROCODILE.

Operation CROCODILE is Canada’s military contribution to the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).

The Canada Armed Forces (CAF) personnel deployed on this mission represent a positive and impartial presence in the DRC and provide credible and professional support to the UN monitoring presence which promotes security and stability in Africa.

Colonel Cayle Oberwarth, Incoming Commander, is honored by the opportunity to command Canada's military contribution to the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He and his highly trained and motivated colleagues are ready to face the challenges and opportunities of this mission. In the footsteps of their predecessors, they look forward to maintaining their commitment to the United Nations and to working with their allies to maintain a safe and secure environment in this region of Africa.

Colonel Pierre Huet, Outgoing Commander, Task Force Democratic Republic of the Congo, was extremely proud to have led this team of professional and dedicated Canadian Armed Forces members over the past year. He leaves this mission with a great sense of accomplishment and salutes the achievements of the deployed personnel on Op CROCODILE in support of peace and security in the region

As commander of Task Force Democratic Republic of the Congo, Colonel Oberwarth commands nine CAF personnel with expertise in operations, liaison, and planning. They are employed at MONUSCO Headquarters in Kinshasa and the forward headquarters in Goma.

Canada continues to support UN peacekeeping efforts and has been actively involved in ensuring security and stability in the Congo region since 2000.

MONUSCO’s mandate is to protect civilians from threats of physical violence, while working with the local government and international actors to strengthen the Congolese government’s capacity to deliver justice and security for its people.

MONUSCO is a peacekeeping mission under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter authorized to use armed force, if necessary, to protect civilians threatened with physical violence. It is also charged with contributing to the improvement of security conditions.

As of May 31, 2017, MONUSCO mission strength stood at 16,436 soldiers in formed units, 481 UN Military Observers, 2,329 police officers, 791 UN civilian employees, 2,525 locally engaged staff, and 389 UN volunteers.

UN Planning on Deploying Peacekeepers to Burundi

One of Justin Trudeau's promises during the election was that he would return Canada to the Peacekeeping table. There has been no indication that Western Nations will be asked to contribute to the proposed mission in Burundi, but will Canada volunteer to be part of one? It would mean returning to the region where Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Romeo Dallaire commanded the UN Mission in Rwanda during the 1994-95 genocide; to help prevent another possible genocide. One that could include the same ethic groups from the 1994-95 conflict.

Below written by AFP; 

UN officials are making plans to rush peacekeepers from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Burundi if violence spirals out of control there, diplomats said Wednesday.

The deployment is one of several options being drawn up by the United Nations peacekeeping department to prevent Burundi from descending into Rwanda-style mass killings.

"One option is to get MONUSCO troops from the DRC across the border into Burundi," said a Security Council diplomat, who asked not to be identified.

The 20,000-strong MONUSCO force in the Democratic Republic of Congo is backed up by a rapid-reaction brigade made up of elite troops from South Africa, Malawi and Tanzania that could also be deployed, he said.

The plans are being drawn up as the UN Security Council is poised to vote, possibly as early as Thursday, on a French-drafted resolution condemning the violence and threatening sanctions against leaders who incite attacks.

The draft resolution requests that Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon present options to the council within 15 days on actions that could be taken to thwart the violence.

Burundi has been rocked by killings, torture and illegal detentions since President Pierre Nkurunziza launched a controversial bid to prolong his term in office in April.

At least 240 people have been killed and more than 200,000 Burundians have fled the country.

THE USE OF FORCE

The deployment of a UN force in Burundi would require the approval of Bujumbura authorities or a decision from the Security Council under a chapter 7 resolution, which authorizes the use of force.

Another option under consideration is the deployment of an African Union force made up of troops from regional countries.

"The use of MONUSCO assets and personnel has been mentioned as one possible option," said a UN spokesman for peacekeeping.

"While this is ultimately a matter for the Security Council to decide, a regional coalition would be well-placed to provide a rapid and credible response if the situation in Burundi worsens," he added.

International alarm over the crisis in Burundi has been mounting after repeated appeals to Nkurunziza to enter into a dialogue with the opposition fell on deaf ears.

Diplomats have also raised concerns about Rwanda becoming embroiled in the conflict after President Paul Kagame accused Burundi's leaders of carrying out "massacres" on their people.

British Ambassador Matthew Rycroft, whose country holds the council presidency this month, said negotiations on the draft resolution were progressing "very rapidly" and that a vote was likely soon.

"The Security Council has come together in the course of this week to ensure we do everything possible to increase the pressure on the authorities in Bujumbura and warn against the dangers of mass atrocities," Rycroft told reporters.