Experience of the Hungarian peacekeepers in various African missions

1. HUNGARIAN MILITARY AND
POLICE FORCES IN THE
AFRICAN PEACEKEEPING
OPERATIONS
2018. 09. 06. Dr. BESENYŐ JÁNOS

2. AFRICAN OPERATIONS
1991 - 2018

3. WHY AFRICA?
 The past: colonization;
 continuous conflicts;
 Poverty, migration;
 African mineral treasure, economical possibilities, raw
material dependency, arable land and water;
 Interest of Super powers (USA, Russia, China, EU), and
regional powers (Turkey, India, Brazil), rivalisation, „second
scramble for Africa;
 EU-NATO Security Strategy;
 EU-NATO African Strategy;
 Interest of Hungary.

5. AFRICA ANDHUNGARY
 Cold War area – strong Hungarian presence in the continent (Algerie, Libya,
Angola, Mozambique, Ghana, Nigeria, etc.);
 1988 – 1989: first request from UN - agreement (Namibia, Angola,
Mozambique, etc.), success – support from government and political parties,
find a way, common interests;
 From 1990: active participation in UN peacekeeping missions, more
responsibilities, higher positions in the mission areas (MINURSO/Western
Sahara: Major General Száraz György, UNMOGIP/Kashmir: Major General
Bali József) and in New York HQ;
 1994-2000: depreciation of Africa in the Hungarian foreign politics, more
cooperation with NATO and EU;
 Withdraw from African missions, except MINURSO;
 From 2003: EU interests in Africa, take part in various missions, push the
new members (included Hungary) to participate, „second scramble for Africa,”
No African policy in Hungary but join to the EU missions;
 Revives interest towards the continent, formatting a new African policy,

6. NAMÍBIA/UNTAG
 United Nations Transition Assistance Group/UNTAG ( Between
April1989 – March 1990)
 Mandate:
 to assist the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to
ensure the early independence of Namibia through free and fair
elections under the supervision and control of the United Nations.
 To convince that all hostile acts were ended;
 troops were confined to base, and, in the case of the South
Africans, ultimately withdrawn from Namibia;
 all discriminatory laws were repealed, political prisoners were
released, Namibian refugees were permitted to return, intimidation
of any kind was prevented, law and order were impartially
maintained.
 Numberof participants: 25 police officers and NCO’s

7. ANGOLA/UNAVEMII.
 United Nations ANGOLA Verification Mission (UNAVEM-II) -
Between June 1991 and February 1995
 Mandate:
 Compliance with peace treaty
 Cease Fire Supervision
 Supervision of Angolan police
 Election monitoring and results authentication
 Mediation between the opposing parties
 Numberof participants: 42 military and police officers and
NCO’s

8. MOZAMBIQUE/ONUMOZ
 United Nations Operations in Mozambique (ONUMOZ) - December
1992 to December 1994
 Mandate:
 Enforcement, monitoring the ceasefire signed by the government
and RENAMO
 Monitoring and support the withdrawal of foreign troops
 Disarmament and weapon collection of various armed groups
 Ensure the operation of United Nations and other international
organizations
 To help rebuild the infrastructure
 Participation in the conduct of elections
 Coordination of humanitarian activities, refugees
 Numberof participants: 52 military and police officers and NCO’s

9. LIBERIA/UNOMIL
 The United Nations Observer Mission in Liberia (UNOMIL) between
September 1993 and September 1997
 Mandate:
 Enforcement of Cotonou agreement
 Supervision of cease fire + ECOWAS support
 Participation of the disarmament and demobilization process
 Border police duties, elimination of smuggling
 ECOMOG support, explosive ordnance disposal activities
 Facilitate the work of the UN and other humanitarian organizations
 Arranging and conducting the elections
 Number of participants: Colonel Laszlo Forgacs, military advisor

10. UGANDA-RUANDA/UNOMUR
 The United Nations Observer Mission Uganda-Rwanda (UNOMUR)
between June 1993 to September 1994
 Mandate:
 Border mission
 Observation Hutu-Tutsi armed groups
 Reducing smuggling, and arms trafficking
 Prevent hostilities
 Confidence-building activities
 Conclusion and participation of the Arusha Peace Agreement
 Numberof participants: 4 military officers

11. ANGOLA/UNAVEMIII.
 United Nations ANGOLA Verification Mission (UNAVEM-III)
-1995 between February and June 1997
 Mandate:
 Enforcement of The Lusaka Agreement
 Cease Fire Supervision
 Assisting the construction of government administration
 Transformation of UNITA armed group to political party
 Dismantling and disarmament of the armed groups and the
civilian population - DDR programs
 Numberof participants: around 20 military and police
officers and NCO’s

12. ANGOLA/MONUA
 United Nations Observer Missions in ANGOLA (MONUA)
Between June 30th 1997 and February 26th 1999
 Mandate:
 Control of the state government's reconstruction
 To support and monitor the UNITA departments merge into the new
government, the police forces, and the civilian life
 Provisions of the ceasefire agreement, monitoring, enforcement
 Weapons gathering and destruction
 Ensure the human rights of the population, development of the civil
society, support and develop the operation of a variety of non-
governmental organizations
 Support the work of humanitarian organizations to coordinate aid for
the ones needed
 Numberof participants: 26 military and police officers and NCO’s

13. WESTERN-SAHARA/MINURSO
 United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara
(MINURSO) from 1991 to the present day
 Mandate:
 Ceasefire monitoring, demonstration of the presence of the United
Nations,
 Registering ceasefire violations between Moroccan forces and the
Polisario Front
 Monitoring number of armed groups, dislocation and any changes
 Positioning mines, grenades and other explosives, inform the parties
of the coordinates
 Developing and maintaining good relations between the opposing
parties
 Numberof participants: 6 people as a change quota – 106 military
officer and 25 police officers and NCO’s

14. SIERRA LEONE/UNAMSIL
 The United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone/UNAMSIL (from October 1999 – 2006)
 Mandate:
 To cooperate with the Government of Sierra Leone and the other parties to the Peace
Agreement in the implementation of the Agreement and monitor the ceasefire;
 To assist the Government of Sierra Leone in the implementation of the disarmament,
demobilization and reintegration plan and provide security in and at all sites of DDR
programme, and guard weapons, ammunition and other military equipment collected from
ex-combatants and to assists in their subsequent disposal or destruction;
 To encourage the parties to create confidence-building mechanisms and support their
functioning;
 To support the operations of United Nations civilian officials, including the Special
Representative of the Secretary-General and his staff, human rights officers and civil affairs
officers, and ensure the security and freedom of movement of United Nations personnel;
 To provide security at key locations and Government buildings, in particular in Freetown,
important intersections and major airports, including Lungi airport;
 To facilitate the free flow of people, goods and humanitarian assistance along specified
thoroughfares;
 Numberof participants: 1 police officer, Captain Varga Zoltán

15. IVORY COAST/ONUCI
 United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire/ONUCI (from April 2004 – June 2017)
 Mandate:
 to protect the civilian population from threat of physical violence and work closely
with humanitarian agencies, particularly in relation to areas of tensions and with
respect to the return of displaced persons;
 to provide, by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, good offices and
political support for the efforts of the Ivorian authorities;
 to address remaining security threats and border-related challenges;
 to take part in the Disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme (DDR)
and collection of weapons and monitor the arms embargo;
 to assist in the reconstitution and reform of security institutions;
 to support for compliance with international humanitarian and human rights law;
 to Support humanitarian assistance;
 to protect United Nations personnel, installations and equipment, and ensure the
security and freedom of movement of United Nations personnel.
 Numberof participants: 1 police officer, Captain Less Ferenc

16. CONGO/OPERATION ARTEMIS
 European Union Force (EUFOR) Democratic Republic of the
Congo/Operation ARTEMIS between June 7 2003 to September
12 2003
 Mandate:
 Accordance with the United Nations Security Council
Resolution 1484, and the EU BT 2003/432/CFSP no.
resolution
 Ituri province (Bunia) providing stability with a limited military
operation, secure airport
 Support of MONUC's activities
 Perform security tasks (resolving conflict of Hema-Lendu)
 Humanitarian activities, protection of refugees from Bunia
 Numberof participants: 1Staff Officer, Lt. Colonel Tomolya János
(Operations Headquarters in Paris)

17. SUDAN-DARFUR/EU SUPPORT TO
AMIS
 EU Support Operation to AMIS (between June 2005 and
December 2007)
 Mandate:
 Opearate and support AMIS II operation (taking into account
the African "ownership")
 Training African soldiers / specialized training
 Organization and arrangement of tactical and strategic
transport
 Logistical support, consultation - Advisory Group
 Police assistance
 Participation in humanitarian programs
 Numberof participants: 2 military officers (Major Kajári Ferenc
and Captain Besenyő János)

18. CONGO/EUSEC CONGO
 EU Security Sector Reform Mission in the Democratic Republic of
the Congo (from June 2005 to May 2015)
 Mandate:
 The support of Congolese government
 To promote safety and cooperation for the countries of the
African Great Lakes region
 Administrative and financial support for the military reform -
Defence Sector transformation
 Cooperation of EUPOL Congo RD Mission
 Humanitarian activities
 Numberof participants: 11 Armyf officers (Kinshasa and Bukavu)

19. CONGO/EUFORRDCONGO
 The EU Military Mission in Congo/EUFOR RD Congo (from July
2006 to November 20069
 Mandate:
 Accordance with the United Nations Security Council
Resolution 1671. ensure and help to organize the Congolese
elections
 Support of MONUC's activities
 The support of Congolese and Gabonese government
 Performance of safety functions
 humanitarian Activities
 Numberof participants: 3 military officers (Potsdam - Operations
Command)

20. CHAD/EUFORCHAD
 The EU's Chad / Central African Peace Operations (EUFOR
CHAD / RCA (from March 2008 to March 2009)
 Mandate:
 Guaranteeing regional security, cooperation with - the United
Nations, Chad, the Central African Republic and Sudan
government bodies
 Continue patrols activity
 Protection of the civilian population and residents of refugee
camps, ensuring the homecoming
 The delivery of humanitarian relief supplies
 Ensure the safety of international civilians
 Numberof participants: 4 military officers (Paris)

21. SOMALI/EU NAVFOR
ATALANTA
 EU NAVFOR Atalanta/EU Naval Operation in the Somali Republic
(from December 2008 – October 2011)
 Mandate:
 Support for EU common defense and security policy
 The fight against pirates, securing trade routes, defense of
"civilian" ships
 Escorting WFP and other humanitarian convoys
 Support for AMISOM operations
 Oversee the fishing in Somalian rivers
 Numberof participants: 2 military NCO’s

22. SOMALI/EUTMSOMALIA
 EU Training Mission Somalia/EUTM SOMALIA (from April 2010 -
continuously)
 Mandate:
 Participation in th implementation of the Djibouti Agreement
 Support for the Transitional Government and government
agencies
 Support Uganda - regional stability
 Facilitate the operation of AMISOM
 Somali government soldier training, preparation according to
the UN Security Council Resolution 1872.
 Numberof participants: 46 military officers and NCO’s

23. LIBYA/EUFORLIBYA
 EU military operation in support of humanitarian assistance
operations in Libya/EUFOR LIBYA (from April 2011 – November
2011)
 Mandate:
 contribute to the safe movement and evacuation of displaced
persons,
 support, with specific capabilities, the humanitarian agencies
in their activities.
 Planning and conduct of the operation shall be carried out in
close cooperation and complementarity with the OCHA,
which is coordinating the overall humanitarian response, the
North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and other actors
 Numberof participants: 2 military officers (Lt. Colonel Bognár
Tamás, Lieutenant Makrai Zita)

24. LIBYA/NATO OUP
 NATO Operation Unified Protector Libya/NATO OUP
LIBYA (from August 2011 – November 2011)
 Mandate:
 to grant arms embargo;
 to maintain a no-fly-zone;
 to make actions to protect civilians from attack or the
threat of attack;
 Humanitarian assistance
 Number of participants: 2 military officers (Captain Tóth
Dezső and Captain Dajka Attila)

25. MALI/MINUSMA
 Mission Multidimensionelle Intégrée des Nations Unis pour la Stabilisation au
Mali/MINUSMA (from April 2013. – continuously)
 Mandate:
 to support the implementation of the Peace Agreement;
 to support the implementation of the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali,
including support to the implementation of the political and institutional reforms
provided for by the Agreement;
 to provide Good offices, confidence-building and facilitation at the national and local
levels;
 to protect without prejudice to the primary responsibility of the Malian authorities, of
civilians under imminent threat of physical violence and specific protection for women
and children affected by armed conflict;
 to assist the Malian authorities in their efforts to promote and protect human rights;
 to support the Malian authorities, contributing to the creation of a secure environment
for the safe, civilian-led delivery of humanitarian assistance;
 To protect United Nations personnel, installations and equipment and ensuring the
safety, security and freedom of movement of United Nations and associated
personnel;

26. MALI/EUTMMALI
 EU Training Mission MALI/EUTM MALI (from October 2012 –
continuously)
 27 European countries, Headquarters in Bamako, but number of training
places in the country side.
 Planned: 15 months, 12.3 million Euros, almost 500 people (providing
training and mission security staff)
 Mandate:
 Restore constitutional and democratic order in Mali through the
implementation of a credible and consensual road map which
foresees free, transparent and fair elections in 2013 and a framework
for negotiations with armed groups rejecting terrorism
 Re-establish the state’s authority throughout the country and redeploy
it effectively in a context of peace and reconciliation between
communities while respecting the rule of law and human rights
 Neutralize organized crime and terrorist threats

27. CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC/EUFOR
RCA
 European Union Military Operation in the Central African
Republic/EUFOR RCA (January 2014 – March 2015)
 Mandate:
 To provided temporary support in achieving a safe and secure
environment in the Bangui area, with a view to handing over to
African partners;
 to protect the populations most at risk;
 to create the conditions for providing humanitarian aid/humanitarian
assistance.
 to provide help ti AU led peacekeeping mission (African-led
International Support Mission to the Central African
Republic/MISCA) and UN led mission (UN Integrated
Peacebuilding Office in the Central African Republic/BINUCA)
 The mission incorporated in the MINUSCA (March 2015)
 Numberof participants: 6 military officers

28. CENTRAL AFRICAN
REPUBLIC/MINUSCA
 United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central
African Republic/MINUSCA (from April 2014 – continuously)
 Mandate:
 to protect the civilians;
 to provide good offices and support to the peace process, including national
reconciliation, social cohesion and transitional justice;
 to facilitate the creation of a secure environment for the immediate, full, safe
and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance;
 to protect the United Nations personnel, installations, equipment and goods and
ensure the security and freedom of movement of United Nations and associated
personnel;
 to support for the extension of State authority, the deployment of security
forces, and the preservation of territorial integrity;
 To assist in the Security Sector Reform (SSR) ans the Disarmament,
Demobilization, Reintegration (DDR) and Repatriation (DDRR);
 To protect the human rights.
 Numberof participants: 21 military officers

29. EUNAVFOR Atalanta
Somalia – pers.: 2
EUTM SOMALIA
Somalia – pers.: 46
EUTM MALI
Mali – pers.: 46
Total of personnel: 440
EUFOR LIBYA
Libya – pers.: 2
NATO OUP LIBYA
Libya – pers.: 2

34. CHALLANGES
LESSONS LEARNED

35. TRAINING - EDUCATION
 experiences and the new methods gained during the operations - change
the attitude of the Hungarian Defence Forces and on long-term flexibly
transformed its training system
 Language training
- Arabic, French
- English (making useable)
- "intermediary" or African languages (Swahili, Hausa, Zulu)
 Processing and utilizing knowledge and experience gained in Africa
 IT training
 Mission-specific training
- Country Study, Operation Environment
- Cultural Knowledge, Human Terrain
TEACHERS - TRAINERS!!!

36. MEDICAL
 Malaria
 HIV/AIDS
 Water- and food-borne illnesses
- Cholera, Hepatitis, Polio
 Other tropical diseases
- Yellow fever, Hepatitis B, Schistosomiasis, Filiariasis,
Rift Valley fever, Sleeping sickness, Worm diseases,
Fungal infection, Viral meningitis, Snakes and other
poisonous animals
 Mental illnesses
 Question of Conditioning and Leave!!!

37. OTHER
 Benefits and employment allowance
 Clothing
 Communication technology and equipment
 Family support system

38. SUGGESTIONS
 Language training courses ASAP
 Country and conflict analysis with the involvement of those
who have already served in Africa, and the preparation of
training materials
 Create a BOK (body of knowledge) with the participation of
governmental and non-governmental organizations,
universities and “civilian” researchers
 Change and reorganize salary control module of the
peacekeeping service (increase the stipend)
 Establish a proper and working Family Support System in
the HDF

39. RESULTS - PLANS
 to set up the Hungarian Defence Forces General Staff Scientific
Research Centre
 Stronger cooperation with outsider researchers and trainee’s
 Published documents: Country Study of Somalia (2. edition),
Country Study of Chad, Country Study of Democratic Republic of
Congo, Country Study of Libya, Country Study of Egypt (2.
edition), Country Study of Mali, Country Study of Central African
Republic (Hungarian and French versions), Country Study of
Morocco and Western Sahara, African separatist and terrorist
organization, Forecast of Hungarian Defence Forces in 2020, and
other two conference paper (Mediterranean and Africa)
 Planned documents to publish: Country Study of Ethiopia, Country
Study of Zimbabwe, Country Study of Tunisia, Country Study of
Nigeria, Hungarian soldiers and police forces in the UN mission
ONUMOZ (Mozambique)

41. POSSIBLE APPLICATION
IN THE NEARFUTURE

42. AFRICAN CONFLICTS
Országokon belül
Etnikai régiókon
belül

43. REASONS OF THE
CONFLICTS
 bad governance, lack of democracy, power
sharing;
 Ethnic rivalrization, ethnical – national contrary,
no national identity, heterogenus society;
 Sharing economic and financial resources, land
issue, water, natural resources, food security,
etc.;
 Deteriorating economic environment, poverty;
 Climate changes, drought, desertification;
 demographic explosion, overpopulation,

44. POSSIBLE CONFLICTS I.
 Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia (Nile)/ Guinea, Mali, Niger (Niger)/Zambia,
Zimbabwe (Zambezi)/ Senegal, Mauritania (Senegal river)- water
sharing/water conflicts;
 Libya: power sharing, ethnic conflicts, oil;
 Chad; power sharing, ethnic conflicts, Union des Forces pour la
Democratie et Developpement (UFDD), Rassemblement des Forces pour
la Changement (RFC)
 Nigeria; Christian – Muslim contrary (Boko Haram), power sharing, oil,
secession efforts of Niger Delta (Movement for the Emancipation of the
Nigeria Delta – MEND);
 Mali; (Azawad), AQIM;
 Niger; Nigeriaen Movement for Justice (MNJ), secession efforts of
tuaregs, AQIM;
 Etióphy – region of Ogaden (Ogaden National Liberation Front -Somalia),
border dispute with Eritrea

45. POSIBLE CONFLICTS II.
 Democratic Republic of the Congo – ethnic and economic problems,
provinces of Kivu and Ituri, warlords;
 Zimbabwe – post time of Mugabe (ZANU-PF), ethnic and economic
problems;
 Sudan, South-Sudan – Abyei, oil, contested borders, Christian – Muslim
contrary, ethnic divisions (Dinka, Nuer, etc.) water sharing, power
sharing;
 Bissau-Guinea – drug trafficking, weak state;
 Egypt – Copt - Muslim contrary, radical Islam, terrorism, economic
problems;
 Burundi – conflicts between government and Hutu’s lead Forces for
National Liberation (FNL);
 Central African Republic: conflicts between government, the Rebel Union
of Democratic Forces of Unity (UFDR), and Rebel Popular Army for the
Restoration of the Republic (APRD), Christian – Muslim contrary;

47. THE HUMAN FREEDOMINDEX
2017

49. GLOBAL PEACE INDEX2018

50. FRAGILE STATES INDEX2017

51. FRAGILE STATES INDEX2007-
2017

52. FAILED STATES INDEX 2017

56. GLOBAL TERRORISMINDEX
2017

58. EXPECTEDPRIORITY
 NATO:
 Somalia – to support AMISOM, operations against piracy;
 Sudan/South-Sudan – to support UNAMID;
 to create the African Stabilization Forces and to develop it’s ability;
 Libya – to assist stabilization of the country, war against Islam radicals and terrorist
groups, Security Sector Reform (SSR);
 Mauritania – to set up the National Operational and Coordination Centre;
 EU:
 Democratic Republic of Congo – Security Sector Reform (SSR), to support MONUC;
 Somalia – Security Sector Reform (SSR), EUTM SOMALIA, EUNAVFOR SOMALIA, to
support AMISOM;
 South-Sudan – Security Sector Reform (SSR), to support UNAMID;
 Guinea – actions against piracy
 UN:
 South-Sudan/Sudan: UNAMID
 Central African Republic: MINUSCA
 Mali: MINUSMA
 Otherpossible operational areas:
 Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Chad, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Bissau-
Guinea, Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, Burundi, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Sierra-Leone, Malawi,
Uganda, Burkina Faso, Senegal

59. BIOGRAPHY
 János Besenyő: Logistic Experiences: The Case of Darfur-PromotingPeace and
SecurityinAfrica – FinnishDepartment of Strategic and Defence Studies (2006 –
Series 2 No 35), pp. 41-59.
http://www.doria.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/77169/StratL2_35.pdf?sequence=1
 János Besenyő: Hungarian logistics specialist working for UN’s Western Sahara
mission – AARMS (Miklós Zrínyi National Defence University), Volume 7, Issue 1.
2008, pp. 155-156,
https://figshare.com/articles/Hungarian_logistics_specialist_working_for_UN_s_W
estern_Sahara_mission/7015301
 János Besenyő: EU support to the African Union mission in Darfur –
AMIS,Tradecraft Review, Periodical of the Scientific Board of Military Security
Office, 2009, Special Issue, p. 31-45,
https://figshare.com/articles/EU_support_to_the_African_Union_mission_in_Darfur
/7021895
 János Besenyő: Hungary's contribution to African peacekeeping operations:
Lessons Learned – In: Budapest Africa Forum 2013, Budapest. Ministry of Foreign
Affairsin Hungary, pp. 192-201. ISBN: 978-963-7038-45-7
http://budapestafricaforum.kormany.hu/download/c/05/70000/Beseny

60.  János Besenyő: Hungarian Peacekeepers in Africa and a Hungarian
Perspective on the UN Mission in Mozambique - Romanian Military Thinking,
Military theory and Sciente Journal of Romanian Armed Forces General Staff,
2011/2, April - June, pp. 174-183.
https://figshare.com/articles/Hungarian_Peacekeepers_in_Africa_and_a_Hunga
rian_Perspective_on_the_UN_Mission_in_Mozambique/7108646
 János Besenyő: Peacekeeping mission in Maghreb: The MINURSO –
Tradecraft Review, Periodical of the Military National Security Service, 2012, 1.
Special Issue, pp. 125-144,
https://figshare.com/articles/Peacekeeping_mission_in_Maghreb_The_MINURS
O/7021922
 János Besenyő: Hungarian military forces in Africa – past and future.
Recovering lost knowledge, exploiting cultural anthropology resources, creating
a comprehensive system of training and preparation– Études SurLa Région
Méditerranéenne, ISSN: 02388308, Szegedi Tudományegyetem, Újkori
Egyetemes Történeti és Mediterrán Tanulmányok Tanszék, 2013, pp. 145-168,
https://figshare.com/articles/Hungarian_military_forces_in_Africa_past_and_futu
re_Recovering_lost_knowledge_exploiting_cultural_anthropology_resources_cr

61. QUESTIONS?
THANKSYOURKINDATTENTION!