Civil-Military Operations Course

Introduction to Civil-Military Relations

Presented by Dr. Pita Agbese

Abuja, Nigeria 15 19 September 2008

Objectives
To explore the dimensions of civil-military operations and to show why they constitute a critical part of modern military operations To explore methods and mechanisms for repairing the armed forces for effective civil-military operations To demonstrate how the ability to project soft power improves and validates military performance

The New Vision

A new avenue for the armed forces of West Africa to create new relevance for themselves West Africa and the entire African continent have witnessed many humanitarian crises that required military skills and professionalism - Civil wars in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Uganda, DRC, etc. - The 1994 Genocide in Rwanda - The on-going genocide in the Darfur region of the Sudan

Civil-Military Operations: Definition Activities involving the use of both military and non-military instruments of power to achieve military objectives

In CMO, the military takes on activities or functions normally carried out by local authorities or NGOs

Objectives of CMO
Create collaborative relationship among Armed Forces IGOs & NGOs Civilian Populace

Objectives of CMO Contd

Limit collateral damage Create stability Counter insurgency Respond to irregular threats Hasten an end to violence/hostilities Restore confidence/trust Gain legitimacy for a new government Reduce hardships of civilian populace Turn foes to friends

Arenas of CMO
Hostile Environment
War Terrorist attacks

Friendly Environment
Natural disasters---floods, earth-quakes, etc.

Neutral Environment

Functional Levels of CMO

Strategic
Reconstruction Economic development Political stability

Operational
Security Feeding/shelter Restoration of health other social infrastructure Creating legitimacy for a new administration Coordination of military operations with NGO/IGO activities

Tactical
Minimization of friction with the civilian populace Security operations Health service support

Phases of CMO
Counter-Insurgency Phase
Major focus: Use military capabilities to help civilian populace Primary Objectives
Reduction of dissatisfaction of the populace Depriving the insurgency of local support De-legitimizing the insurgency

Phases of CMO
Peace Operations
Central focus:
Protection of vulnerable population Foster cooperative relationship among the: Military Civilian organizations Government People

Phases of CMO
Stability Operations
Central focus
Securing/safeguarding the populace Re-establishing law/order Protecting infrastructure Re-building infrastructure Restoration of public services

Activities of CMO
Public infrastructure
Water Sewer Electricity

Economic stability Rule of law

Policing Judicial reform

Governance
Anti-corruption programs

Public health/welfare Public education/information

CMO: Responsible Units

Bulk of CMO activities are undertaken by Civil Affairs Unit Other units of the armed forces involved are:
Special Operations Forces Psychological Operations Unit Legal Support Unit Engineering Transportation unit Military Police Health Service Support

Challenges of CMO
Conflicting goals with humanitarian organizations Coordination of activities with NGOs/IGOs Language barrier Inherent hostilities Lack of proper equipment Unclear or ambiguous mandates

Key Considerations

All disaster plans should be built to diminish fear and poverty

Getting Organized
When a crisis occurs, it is too late to get organized For domestic deployments, you should have trained with your national crisis response office For foreign deployments, military commanders at all levels must know how to lead or how to work with international organizations and local leadership Field exercises with realistic scenarios and the participation of relevant civilian operators are strongly recommended You should have prepared rules of engagement for stabilization, humanitarian or international emergency operations

The Military as the Supported or Supporting Force

There are many reasons why the most effective posture for the military force is to think of itself as a supporting force within a large complex operation The military is likely to be the first to leave the deployment area before the civilian agencies are done, and not being in charge facilitates continuity of the overall operation

The Military as the Supported or Supporting Force

A great reward of humanitarian work is the knowledge that your efforts save lives
Frequently, the militarys chief contribution is heavy transport

Measures of Effectiveness
You have been successful:
When members of your force are seen as protectors and not predators by the people you are there to protect When you are able to maintain friendly and productive relations with local authorities and general population When your troops are so well disciplined that there are no reports of misbehavior against innocent men, women or children When local people start to inform you of the presence of trouble-makers

The International Intervention Community

UN Operational Agencies UNHCR, WFP UNICEF HOST NATION Diaspora communities

International Corporations

UN Agencies
OPS CTR
SECRETARIAT OCHA; DPA; DPKO

AFRICAN UNION

International Organizations ICRC IFRC IOM

Regional States and Institutions

The Press & Media

Donor States

NonGovernmental Organizations (NGOs)

MILITARY FORCES

Military First Responders Face Many Critical and Difficult Issues

The arrival of a military force in a distressed state inevitably changes the political chemistry of the country People who have nothing have very few options, and rarely are they going to throw flowers at the feet of military personnel If you are wearing a military uniform, there is really no such thing as disinterested, neutral intervention All soldiers have a role in Civil-Military Relations as soon as operations begin

Building Capacities of Your Partners

We must give consideration to increasing the capacities (access via security) and profile of IO/NGO communities, including those that do not wish to work with the military The services provided by humanitarians are not at high cost, other than the fundamental requirement to protect them and to generally support them The possible loss of public relations value from doing the work ourselves is easily made up by the productive image of protecting IO/NGO care givers

What Is Humanitarian Space on the Battlefield?

When a military is deployed to respond to a crisis, it will find civilian responders already there or soon to arrive If the situation is serious enough to warrant deployment of military forces, there will be dangers for intervening forces The professionalism of the military forces will be determined by their ability to achieve mission goals while minimizing the risks to innocents Military rules of engagement (ROE) should be consistent with the desired end-state of the operation Desired end-state is a functioning, infrastructure-viable community with sustainable and transparent economic and political structures in place

Enemies on the Humanitarian Battlefield (NGO perspective)

Impunity of Warlords and Criminals Which Escalate Instability Targeting of Humanitarian or Civilian Officials that Reduces NGO/IO Mobility to Provide Basic Services Bad Information Distrust of Civilian Authorities Water-borne diseases; Lack of Shelter; Lack of Food; and Fear of the Unknown

Some of Your Partners on the Humanitarian Battlefield (NGOs)

Relief and rehabilitation (CARE, MSF, OXFAM) Human rights and advocacy (Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, International Crisis Group) Citizen diplomacy (African Center for Conflict Resolution and Development, Carter Center) Religious and academic (Pearson Center, Tufts Feinstein International Famine Center) Landmine eradication (ICBL) Medical emergencies (IMC, MSF) Camp and community sanitation (IRC) Senegal Specific (Student Feedback)

Some Useful Guidelines for Managing Relations with IO/NGO World

Learn their priorities and offer assistance as appropriate Do not let your mission timetable upset the broader relief effort Keep in mind that you do not own their assets Share information especially damage estimates and human casualty data, weather, route security, physical security and explain military problem-solving procedures

More Civil-Military Challenges

The rules of engagement for civil-military relations are undergoing significant changes around the world All professional militaries must be prepared to be judged on the basis of their abilities to harmonize their efforts on the humanitarian battlefield with civilian governmental and non-governmental agencies Governments and their militaries must develop reliable mechanisms for interagency and multi-force planning In an era of ambiguity in military interventions, we all must improve our diplomatic and planning tools We must refine our current doctrines to develop viable total force concepts

Rewards
WHAT MAY YOU EXPECT FOR LONG DAYS IN A POSSIBLY DANGEROUS ENVIRONMENT? CERTAINLY THE APPRECIATION OF YOUR NATION, BUT THE SHY SMILE OF A CHILD IS NOT SO BAD.

The Responsibility to Protect

When is it appropriate for the international community to intervene to protect people who are either mistreated or unprotected by their governments? Sovereignty versus human rights: a modern dilemma Issues of protection, prevention, reaction, rebuilding and re-establishment of authority remain ambiguous This is a very controversial issue which is currently subject to broad international debate

Conclusions
Soldiers, whether engaged in direct military action or in civil-military operations, must be adequately trained to discharge their duties in a professional manner consistent with the tenets and requirements of democratic societies

Questions