Army officers recognised for UN peacekeeping role

Five Australian Army officers were recognised for their contribution to one of the United Nations’ most dangerous peacekeeping missions during a National Peacekeepers Day ceremony in Canberra.

Over five rotations between 2020 and 2022, Australian officers served as operations planners in the force headquarters of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).

Established in 2013, MINUSMA supported the implementation of a peace agreement between the Mali Government and armed groups following a civil war.

The mission also worked to protect civilians from attacks by extremist organisations linked to Islamic State and Al-Qaida amid a deteriorating security environment.

Maj Daniel Burns, the first Australian deployed on Operation Orenda, arrived in the capital city of Bamako shortly before Mali’s first military coup in August 2020.

His successor, Maj Cameron Gibbons, served through a second coup in 2021.

Insecurity and restrictions on UN operations worsened during the subsequent rotations of Maj Jamie Smith and Maj Nathanael Von Muralt.

Maj Luke Crow was deployed when Australia’s contribution ended in October 2022 after the relationship between the Mali Government and the UN grew strained and the host nation consent was rescinded.

The mission exposed Australian officers to the realities faced by communities across Mali.

While visiting a UN forward operating base near the village of Ogossagou, Maj Burns met elders whose community had endured repeated attacks from armed groups.

Many of the village’s men had been killed and adolescents kidnapped, leaving behind elderly men, widows and orphans.

“None of the kids were able to go to the school, about five or six kilometres down the road, because it was outside of the UN protection and they may be kidnapped,” Maj Burns said.

“You definitely saw how important it was to be doing that mission.”

MINUSMA comprised more than 13,000 peacekeepers from 65 countries and suffered heavy losses throughout its decade-long deployment.

More than 175 peacekeepers were killed before the mission finished in 2023, many during attacks on resupply convoys that Australian planners helped coordinate.

While each rotation faced different challenges, Maj Burns said personnel who deployed on them understood each other in a way few others could.

“We are the only people here who fully understand the context and what it was like,” he said.

“It was very difficult to get decent food, so I think everybody lost a lot of weight and we were all pulling at least 12- to 14-hour days, six days a week.

“It was demanding. However, I must say I loved it. It was one of the best things I've ever done.”

The officers were honoured at the Australian Peacekeeping Memorial on September 14, recognising the Australian Defence Force contribution to MINUSMA.

For Maj Burns, the Canberra ceremony highlighted the significance of the contribution made by Australians on operations that often receive little public attention.

“When we returned to Australia, we were on our own. Nobody else understood what had been happening or what that operation was,” he said.

“It’s important that we do even very simple recognition of small missions. Those few who go and do operations like this, they also serve.

“There were some tough things about that operation, which is why it is important that we don’t forget these small missions that we do.”