United Nations Force Intervention Brigade

Force Intervention Brigade
Brigade Logo
Active	April 2013
Country	South Africa  Tanzania  Malawi
Allegiance	United Nations
Branch	MONUSCO
Type	Infantry Brigade
Role	Peace Enforcement
Size	Brigade
Garrison/HQ	Sake, DRC 1°34′26.79″S 29°2′28.78″E / 1.5741083°S 29.0413278°E / -1.5741083; 29.0413278Coordinates: 1°34′26.79″S 29°2′28.78″E / 1.5741083°S 29.0413278°E / -1.5741083; 29.0413278
Nickname	FIB
Motto	Peace, Security, Stability
Engagements	Battle of Kibati, Battle of Govender's Ridge, Kiwanja, Battle of Lukweti, Battle of Nyiabiyondo
Commanders
2013-2014	General James Aloisi Mwakibolwa[1]

The United Nations Force Intervention Brigade is a military formation which forms part of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). It was authorized by the United Nations Security Council on 28 March 2013 through United Nations Security Council Resolution 2098.^[2] The FIB is the first United Nations peacekeeping formation specifically tasked to carry out targeted offensive operations to neutralize armed groups that threaten State authority and civilian security, with or without the Forces Armées de la République Démocratique du Congo (the Congolese Army), against armed groups that threaten peace in the eastern DRC. The brigade is based in North Kivu and is made up of a total of 3,069 peacekeepers.^[1] The brigade consists of South African Army, Tanzanian Army, and Malawi Defence Force infantry battalions, Tanzanian artillery, and special forces.^[3]

Authorisation

It was first headed by General James Aloisi Mwakibolwa (Tanzania).^[1] Mwakibolwa had had previous experience in the region. He served as commander of the Military Assessment Team of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) in October 2012 to assess the military situation in eastern DRC and come up with a concept of operations. Gen Mwakibolwa handed over command to his successor in April 2014.

UNSCR 2098 stated that MONUSCO should: '..In support of the authorities of the DRC, on the basis of information collation and analysis, and taking full account of the need to protect civilians and mitigate risk before, during and after any military operation, carry out targeted offensive operations through the Intervention Brigade referred to in paragraph 9 and paragraph 10 above, either unilaterally or jointly with the FARDC, in a robust, highly mobile and versatile manner and in strict compliance with international law, including international humanitarian law and with the human rights due diligence policy on UN-support to non-UN forces (HRDDP), to prevent the expansion of all armed groups, neutralize these groups, and to disarm them in order to contribute to the objective of reducing the threat posed by armed groups on state authority and civilian security in eastern DRC and to make space for stabilization activities.'

Actions

The FIB was slow to get started. First on the ground was a company of the South African Battalion who were stationed in the Muningi Base just outside Goma. Commanded by Major Vic Vrolik, the company was involved in skirmishes with a group of Mai-Mai rebels on 10 July 2013.^[4] They were then under siege in the base as the M23 Rebels shelled Goma and shot artillery, 120mm Mortars and B10 or SPG-9 rockets at the FARDC tanks and soldiers who took shelter behind the UN base.

The FIB was involved in numerous combat engagements during 2013/2014, including:

• Battle of Kibati/Triple Towers ^[5]
• Govender's Ridge, Kiwanja. In late September 2014, with the assistance of the Force Intervention Brigade, troops from the FARDC drove the M23 rebel faction to the Ugandan border and forced what has been effectively their total and unconditional surrender.^[6][7] The Indian Army Battalion assigned to act in a supporting role, refused to fight and sealed themselves into their armoured vehicles.
• Kitchanga. In May 2014, SANDF soldiers stood their ground against APCLS and defended their position with great courage and determination.^[8]
• Nyiabiondo/Lukweti^[9]
• Beni^[10]

In December 2014, media reports supported Human Rights Watch' contentions about massacres in the Beni, North Kivu region.^[12] Human Rights Watch said that unidentified rebels killed more than 180 civilians in the eastern DRC from September to December 2014.^[11] The FIB's non-engagement of these attackers has been severely criticised. The UN head of mission in the DRC, Martin Kobler, conceded that the FARDC has "little appetite" to carry out missions against these perpetrators.^[12]

Commanders

The FIB has had its mandate extended for a further year. The first South African Battalion was composed of primarily members of 6 South African Infantry Battalion and the second by members of 5 South African Infantry Battalion

Brigade Commanders

• 2013 – 2014
  • Brigade Commander: General James Aloisi Mwakibolwa^[1]  Tanzania People's Defence Force^[1]
  • Deputy: Colonel Dube  South African Army
• 2014 – 2015
  • Brigade Commander: Unknown  Tanzania People's Defence Force
  • Deputy: Colonel Mthetheleli Ncgulu^[12]  South African Army^[12]

South African Battalion Commanders

 South African Army

Peacekeepers deployed in the city of Kiwanja

Casualties

A Major from the Tanzanian battalion of the FIB was killed on 28 August 2013 by mortar fire from the M23 militia group near Kibati Hills, just outside Goma.^{[16] [17][18]} Three Tanzanians and two South Africans were also wounded in the same incident. A memorial service was held by members of the brigade to honour his passing.^[19]

On 27 October 2013, Lt Rajabu Ahmed Mlima, of the Tanzanian Army Special Forces, was killed in action on Govender's Hill, just east of the town of Kiwanja. He was part of the Quick Reaction Force of Task Group Alpha of the Brigade. He was killed during a fire-fight between elements of M23 and the combined South African and Tanzanian QRF.^[13]

Gallery

• 

  South African troops stand ready as part of a Guard of Honour for a visiting VIP

• 

  Two Rooivalk attack helicopters escorting a UN delegation

• 

  Arrival of Tanzanian troops

• 

  Brig Gen James Aloisi Mwakibolwa, FIB commander, addresses Officers of the FIB at Kiwanja a few days prior to the combat which cost Lt Mlima his life.

• 

  Troops on Parade during a memorial for Lt Mlima. There were South African Army, Tananian Army and Indian Army soldiers on parade.

• 

  South African Rooivalk Attack Helicopter over FIB base in Sake 2014

Videos

• South African battalion training at their Sake base on YouTube
• UN Helicopters Attacks in Congo on YouTube
• "It was clear that the rebels didn't expect us" -- SANDF pilot on YouTube
• SANDF ups transparency on DRC activity on YouTube

References