International & Regional Peace Keeping Missions
Peace Keeping Missions
- Zimbabwe is a member state to the United Nations. One of the mandates of these member states is to promote peace and stability in war torn countries by seconding police officers and members. Since inception of UN Peacekeeping in 1991, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has shown its unwavering commitment and participation on the United Nations international Peace Keeping Missions duties to reinforce regional, global peace and stability.
The ZRP’s contribution to the international peacekeeping duties has been on record and has also acclaimed unreserved recognition by the United Nation Department of Peacekeeping Operations [UN DPKO]. To date Zimbabwe is amongst the premium pillars in international peacekeeping operations since the origin of UN Peacekeeping in 1991. Notable, Zimbabwe Republic Police has seconded its brave man and women both officers and members to war zones as tabulated below.
Mission Period Currently Deployed Total Number Deployed Male Female Total Angola 1995-1996 Nil 25 Nil 25 East Timor 1999 -2012 Nil 159 35 194 Sierra Leone 2005-2006 Nil 23 01 24 Kosovo 1999-2008 Nil 303 31 334 Liberia 2003 – 2017 Nil 160 173 333 Sudan 2005 – 2012 Nil 114 64 178 Darfur 2010 to 2021 Nil 71 49 120 Total 1995 to date Nil 855 353 1208 However, these missions have closed as stability has been restored to the concerned nations.
Currently the United Nations has two operating open missions which are United Nations Mission in South Sudan [UNMISS] with an average of fifteen to twenty [15 to 20] United Nations Police Officers [UNPOL] per deployment and United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei [UNISFA] with an average of two [02] UNPOL per deployment. These missions are as follows:-
Mission Period Currently Deployed Total Number Deployed Male Female Total S. Sudan 2012 to date 07 201 130 331 Abyei 2013 to date 02 17 16 33 Over the years, Zimbabwe has proven to be an expandable reservoir at all levels of peacekeeping operations. It has been recognised as one of the most visible contributor of female police officers to these operations.
The above cited deployments are for United Nations Police Officers [UNPOL]. Their main duties will be peacekeeping, reforming, restructuring, and developing national police services, conducting interim law enforcement in some missions, managing public order, and using intelligence-led policing to address threats like sexual violence, organized crime and violent extremism.
There are some other deployments where officers are seconded for professional posts around the world and their duties are to conduct research, analyze data, draft policy papers and reports, support program implementation, coordinate activities with partners, and contribute to public outreach and knowledge management, with specific duties varying significantly depending on the agency, department, and country or regional focus. They also uphold UN values, maintain professional integrity, and comply with local laws and organizational regulations.
In conclusion Zimbabwe’s deployments of personnel to United Nations have greatly been recognised through various awards and accolades being awarded to our police officers for the outstanding performances shown in different United Nations missions.