Hi, do you have knowledge about multilateral organizations, like OSCE or African Union, and their using of PMCs? Or is there some databases in which I could find some general infromations about missions and who participate?
As a matter of principle and as far I am aware of, none of the current multilateral organizations with military purpose within their statutes use private military companies in any of their activities; only government military forces. What it is true is that certain governments use private military companies in order to carry out certain military activities during the past years, but not multilateral organizations such OSCE, African Union, the United Nations, etc.
Contrary to popular perception, there is a significant number of reports and studies on the use of Private military companies and international organizations. For instance, the data from the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS), which conducts procurements for a wide range of UN projects, has reported that private military and security companies (PMSC) are among the many commercial partners of the United Nations. As a recent study carried out by Åse Gilje Østensen illustrates, “the United Nations directly procures PMSC services from its headquarters and in the field, and a variety of agencies, programmes, funds, departments and divisions within the UN family are regular PMSC customers, including the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Food Programme (WFP) and UN Development Programme (UNDP).” Accordingly, I would suggest reading the study titled “UN Use of Private Military and Security Companies: Practices and Policies” (and its multiple references in the bibliographic section). More recently, Christopher Spearin has published an interesting article that highlights the early use, or at least acceptance, of PMSCs in peacekeeping operations in the early post-Cold War era – “UN Peacekeeping and the International Private Military and Security Industry”. Several research institutes and think tanks have has also carried out studies regarding the UN’s use of PMSC, such as “Dangerous Partnership Private Military & Security Companies and the UN” and “The use of private security providers and services in humanitarian operations”. Most of these studies are available online.
If you require any more references please let me know.
Thank you both for your answers.
Mr. da Vinha, thank you for this list of references. Firstly, I owe you an apology for not mentioning, that I would like get information about other organizations, and not mainly UN. Because, as you show, there are papers and books about this topic.
My concern is therefore in "smaller" or regional organizations. Do you have any knowledge about literature or research on this topic? But I will look at papers from your list; maybe I found some mentions about other organizations.
Thanks! the information is very useful. I know that UN uses for their own security Private companies and some of the personnel were military from South America accused of human right violations
I would recommend you track the outfit Executive Outcomes and their Holding Company the Strategic Resource Corporation of South Africa. They are key players in the level of PM that you are interested.
The previous Sri Lankan President's brother who was the Defence secretary at the time, recruited ex military personel through independent /private companies linked to possible associates to monitor / accompany ships, provide arms and ammunition to foreign or governments or organization's against Sudanese or other sea pirates. They also had a private/government security organization in internal security. It was not a transparent system and profits etc probably shared amongst friends. There are many investigations by police to investigate these aspects.
The services provided by this private security/maritime agency and it's government collaboration is clear in their website
Avant Garde Maritime Services http://www.avantmaritime.com/about-us/
Government collaborative front to above.
Rakna Araksha Lanka Limited http://www.rallsecurity.com/
References.To other criminal investigations by present government.
Shocking revelations of deep security state within the State | The Sunday Times Sri Lanka. http://www.sundaytimes.lk/150125/columns/shocking-revelations-of-deep-security-state-within-the-state-131923.html
Video: Gotabaya quizzed by PCoI for five hours ::: Dailymirror.lk ::: Breaking Newshttp://www.dailymirror.lk/84655/gotabaya-quizzed-by-presidential-commission Video: Gotabaya quizzed by PCoI for five hours ::: Dailymirror.lk ::: Breaking News. http://www.dailymirror.lk/84655/gotabaya-quizzed-by-presidential-commission
In regard to Benedict Iheanacho ·Executive Outcomes disbanded long ago and no longer exists.
Can anyone provide a suggestion on literature that looks at how the effectiveness of PMSCs is measured? Specifically, I am interested in literature that identifies how improved effectiveness is often tied to increased quantification of goals (number of patrols, number of packages delivered, electricity, etc.) Any specific suggestions would be appreciated.