Operations

Operation providing capabilities to UN Peacekeeping Missions Extended

Mishall Rehman April 13, 2023

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Above image left, two members of the force protection escort doctors as they exit the Canadian CH-147F Chinook helicopter to reach the Dutch simulated casualty during an exercise as part of Operation PRESENCE – Mali, around Gao, in Mali, January 30, 2019. Photo by: Corporal François Charest, 430 Tactical Helicopter Squadron (430 ETAH).

Operation PRESENCE, Canada’s umbrella operation that provides capabilities to United Nations peacekeeping missions, has been extended until March 31, 2026.

A member of Task Force-Mali stands guard while other members set up a Forward Area Refueling Point during Operation PRESENCE-Mali on February 16, 2019. Photo: Corporal François Charest, 430 Tactical Helicopter Squadron (430 Tac Hel Sqn).

“As Canadians, the values of the United Nations are a core part of our identity. That is why our Canadian Armed Forces personnel have been supporting United Nations peacekeeping operations for decades. Through our extension of Operation PRESENCE, Canada is demonstrating its continued commitment to the United Nations, and its efforts to advance peace, stability, and security,” said Anita Anand, minister of national defence, who announced the extension in late March.

Missions under Op PRESENCE

The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) currently serves on a number of missions around the world under Operation PRESENCE.

Two CH-146 Griffon helicopters practice their approach to the hangar line during with Operation PRESENCE – Mali at Camp Castor in Gao, Mali on July 23, 2018. Photo by: MCpl Jennifer Kusche.

Currently, ongoing missions include:

UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission (MINUSMA) in Mali;
Training Development Assessment Teams (TDAT), which provides technical assistance and training support to peacekeeping partners;
a Tactical Airlift Detachment that transports from time-to-time to assist with the transportation of personnel and equipment to the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) and the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS);
And CAF training support under the Elsie initiative, which is focused on increasing meaningful participation of women in UN peacekeeping operations. Work under this initiative is taking place in Ghana.

Cpl Stephanie Côté, a member of the Military Police deployed on Operation PRESENCE Uganda, Tactical Air Detachment Goma, protects a CC-130J Hercules and its crew at Beni-Mavivi International Airport, Democratic Republic of Congo on 22 November 2021. Photo by: Sergeant Vincent Carbonneau, Canadian Forces Combat Camera, Canadian Armed Forces photo.

For decades, Canada has remained committed to UN peacekeeping missions around the world. The press release noted the CAF has supported women’s participation in peace operations, combating child soldiers, and training peacekeepers.