Ethiopian Military Doctrine in Peace Operations: A Comparative Study on Amisom, Unamid and Unisfa
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Date
2020-06
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Addis Ababa University,
Abstract
The purpose of this thesis is to examine whether the Ethiopian troops in different peacekeeping
missions with varied contexts and authorizing institutions operate similar doctrine or not, taking
AMISOM, UNAMID, and UNISFA. To this end, the study employed a qualitative comparative
study. Data collected through in-depth and key informant interviews and focus group discussions
with those who were selected using purposive sampling based on their engagement and
knowledge were analyzed thematically. The result of this thesis reveals the need to develop well
articulated peace operation doctrine in the absence of a formal peace operation doctrinal
guidance that shapes Ethiopian troops’ participation in regional, continental, and international
peacekeeping operations. In addition, the study identified that the military doctrine varies in
different contexts of operation due to variation in military, technical, and political dimensions.
These dimensions are manifested in variables such as the organization or structure, command,
and control, the use of force, tactics, techniques and procedures, logistics, communication,
values, and interaction. Moreover, the study identified challenges related to command and
control in the form of lack of coordination, and decision making in both UNAMID and UNISFA
while lacking continuity in control in AMISOM. The principal challenge for the three cases is a
poor communication skill and logistics pitfall. Moreover, the Ethiopian troop in AMISOM
predominantly engages in a war-fighting against Al-Shabaab while in UNAMID and UNISFA in
peacekeeping operation where the use of force is limited to specific conditions. Hence, despite
few similarities among the three missions, the doctrine, the Ethiopian troops apply in these
missions vary due to contextual differences. The researcher suggests that there is a need to
mitigate the challenges that the troop faces in peacekeeping operations.
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Keywords
military doctrine, operation, peace operation and peace support operation.