Peace operations: General Jean Baptiste Tine calls for better coordination between civilians, military and police

During a Master 2 thesis defense session in Security Governance, Criminology and Geopolitics at FASTEF, General Jean Baptiste Tine highlighted the evolution of peacekeeping operations and the strategic role of formed police units (UPC) in crisis contexts.

Presiding over this academic session, the former Minister of the Interior and Public Security praised the quality of the research work presented by Police Adjutant Christian Tine, devoted to the constituted police units, specialized formations responsible for maintaining order, protecting civilians and preserving public order in peace missions.

According to General Tine, this study is distinguished by its scientific rigor and comparative nature, drawing parallels between the experiences of police contingents deployed within the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) and the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). These two theaters of operation, with their distinct realities, are analyzed to provide a better understanding of the challenges faced by security forces in peacekeeping operations.

General Jean Baptiste Tine noted that formed police units have played an increasingly important role in UN missions since the 1990s, due to the changing nature of conflicts. Whereas peacekeeping operations in the past primarily took place between two states that had agreed to a ceasefire, current conflicts are predominantly intrastate, characterized by a lack of consent from the parties involved and a rise in violence against civilian populations.

In this context, he explained, the challenges related to human rights, maintaining public order, and combating organized crime require specific police skills that complement the actions of the military. He believes this expertise is destined to play an even more significant role in future peacekeeping operations.

The former minister also emphasized the positive outcomes of Senegalese forces' participation in these international missions. Beyond their contribution to collective security and the return of peace to conflict zones, these deployments allow participating personnel to gain valuable professional and personal experience, while also generating material benefits.

Addressing the most effective methods for maintaining public order, General Jean Baptiste Tine advocated an integrated approach to interventions. According to him, the most complex peacekeeping operations rely on continuous coordination between civilian, military, and police components. This same principle, he argued, should guide the organization of national security structures, with a clear division of responsibilities among the various security actors.