The South African Defence Review guides policy-making. The
plan involves the country’s military providing "critical humanitarian
assistance and reconstruction capabilities during and immediately after military
operations."
Using armed forces to distribute humanitarian assistance in
conflict or complex post-conflict areas violates the humanitarian principles.
This includes foreign peacekeepers. The review does not even acknowledge
humanitarian principles. Humanitarian and military actors differ profoundly in
terms of their training. This includes differences in skills, aims, mandates,
agendas, operational methods and institutional cultures. Because of this, the
responsibility for providing humanitarian assistance rests primarily with humanitarian
and aid organisations. The role of peacekeepers is to contribute to creating
stability and security. They are also tasked with ensuring freedom of movement
for local and international humanitarian aid workers. South African
peacekeepers will endanger humanitarian efforts if they get involved in
humanitarian work. Instead of helping bring peace, stability and relief, they
will compromise the work of humanitarian organisations. Humanitarian work in
Africa should be left to humanitarian and aid agencies.
No comments:
Post a Comment