peacekeeping Since 1948, the United Nations (UN), through the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), has conducted peacekeeping missions all over the world. As a member of the global community, Singapore recognizes this stabilizing role of the UN and has actively participated in missions since 1989. More than 1,200 Singapore troops have been involved in 13 operations taking place in over 11 countries.

In 1989, the first Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Peacekeepers were deployed to Namibia as part of UNTAG (UN Transitional Authority Group). Fourteen SAF officers, 48 police officers and 20 civil servants acted as election supervisors after South Africa agreed to end its administration of Namibia. When the Allied Forces carried out Operation Desert Storm during the 1991 Gulf crisis, a 30- man medical team from Singapore was sent to Saudi Arabia for three months to give medical support under the mission name Ops Nightingale. In April that same year, SAF officers were sent to Kuwait on the UN Iraq– Kuwait Observation Mission (UNIKOM) as military observers. As of 2005, UNIKOM was still active and SAF officers continued to render their services.

During the 1993 UN- sponsored elections in Cambodia, election monitors and helicopter support were supplied by Singapore for the UNTAC (UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia) operation.

From November 1995 to February 1999, SAF officers were seconded to the DPKO at UN Headquarters. In 2001 and 2002, Singapore posted mission planning officers to the DPKO.

Singapore peacekeepers have also taken part in INTERFET (UN- sanctioned International Force in East Timor), UNTAET (UN Transitional Administration in East Timor) and UNMISET (UN Mission of Support in East Timor). Cumulatively, 373 Singaporean medical and logistics personnel were involved with INTERFET from 1999 to 2000. During 2000– 02, when UNTAET was in operation, Singapore sent armed peacekeepers, military observers and medical support. After East Timor gained independence from Indonesia, UNTAET was replaced by UNMISET.

Photo credit: PIONEER/ Ministry of Defence