The Ethical Dimension of Rules of

Engagement -
The Canadian Experience in Somalia

Operation Deliverance
December 1992- May 1993
“A Significant Incident”
Aim: To examine the ethical
dimensions of Rules of
Engagement (ROE)
in an operational setting
 The approach...
• Background
• You’re in the Airborne now!
• Plenary discussion
• Wrap-up
 Background...
CIA World Fact Book:
Somalia Profile (1992)
“Government type: None”
“Legal system: NA”
 Background
Canada responds...
Background
 Background
ROE in Somalia
• UNOSOM to UNITAF on 3 Dec 1992
Chapter VI (Self Defence) to Chap VII (Peace-
making)
• ROE not rehearsed in training
• ROE approved after troops in theatre
• ROE amendments post deployment
Congratulations! You’re in the
Airborne...
Congratulations! You’re in the
Airborne...
Congratulations! You’re in the
Airborne...
Well Sergeant, it’s like this...
“...for weeks the Somalis had been breaking
into our compounds stealing everything from
diesel cans to hand grenades. Dozens of
Somalis were captured, turned over to the
local police then released because there are no
jails. Everything is being blown way out of
proportion and sensationalised. I just wish I
knew more of what was going on.
In the following days, our grenades were
thrown back at us and the aid workers.”
A member of the Canadian Airborne Regiment in Somalia
“Ladies & Gentlemen, orders!”
What are the ethical dimensions?
What are the ethical dimensions?
Govt responsibility to military

Military responsibility to Govt

Military responsibility to ensure unit “Op Ready”

Military responsibility to issue timely

and unambiguous ROE

Military responsibility of C of C to enforce ROE

Individual responsibility to do the right thing!

 Wrap-up
“The transmogrification in military ethos that the
Canadian Forces has undergone after Somalia, is not
unlike that which the US Army underwent after
Vietnam”

A Canadian DS at ACSC desperately

wanting to be quoted for
something somewhere

“From the ashes of disaster grow the roses of success”

Song from Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang
 “The Significant Incident”
• Maj - 3 months in jail, discharged
• Capt - Reduced in rank to Lt, reprimand
• Sgt - 1 yr in prison, reduced in rank to Pte
• MCpl - Attempted suicide. Unfit to stand trial
• Pte - Sentenced to five years in prison. Served
18 months and discharged