Cairo, Egypt - CCCPA conducted two pre-deployment trainings in September 2021. The first training (from 18-23 September) saw the attendance of 344 Egyptian peacekeepers who will be joining the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). The second training (from 25-30 September) was held for 140 Egyptian peacekeepers who will be joining the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).

The trainings are a collaboration between CCCPA and the Egyptian Ministry of Defense, in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1769 (2007). To date, Egypt’s total peacekeeping contributions to MINUSMA and MINUSCA are 1247 and 1188 peacekeepers, respectively.

The trainings--based on the Core Pre-Deployment Training Material (CPTM)--begin with a brief analysis of the situation and mandate of the respective mission. Topics covered include UN peacekeeping principles, international humanitarian law and human rights, the rules of engagement, protection of civilians, the role of women in peacekeeping, and preventing sexual exploitation and abuse.

According to Security Council Resolution 2584 (2021), the MINUSMA mandate includes (i) supporting the implementation of political and institutional reforms in the 2015 Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali; (ii) focusing on the restoration of State authority and the rule of law in the center; (iii) working on a “Pact for Peace” between the Malian Government and the UN ahead of presidential elections; (iv) assisting in defense and security measures in the agreement, especially those relating to a ceasefire, as well as taking reconciliation and justice measures to conduct inclusive, free, and fair elections. Moreover, other tasks involve the protection of civilians, the promotion of human rights along with humanitarian assistance without prejudice to Malian authorities, supporting projects for stabilization, weapons and ammunition management, reintegration of armed groups, and cooperation with sanctions committees.

According to Security Council Resolution 2566 (2021), MINUSCA's mandate is mainly concerned with protecting civilians, and assisting the authorities in the Central African Republic in the preparation and delivery of peaceful presidential, legislative, and local elections of 2020/2021. Other tasks include facilitating humanitarian assistance; promoting human rights; supporting justice and the rule of law; and disarmament, demobilization, reintegration (DDR) and repatriation (DDRR) processes. MINUSCA's mandate also encourages the peace process through implementation of the peace agreement, elections, national reconciliation, social cohesion, and transitional justice.

Pre-deployment trainings are held under the current CCCPA project “Enhancing Peace, Security and Stability in Africa--VII (2021-2022)”, funded by the Government of Japan through UNDP.

Photo Credit: MINUSMA/Flickr