Editorial: Estonian input in Central Africa a must

Photo: SCANPIX

For Estonia, it is the right thing to go ahead with the French and other allies in the Central African Republic (CAR) operation. If there was anything that was wrong, it was the delay – thinking of the people in CAR and European interests. Whoever harps on this being immoral colonial war are blatantly lying. In the CAR conflict, thousands of civilians have been slaughtered. The mission is to take away the arms and keep further murders from happening.

As humans (and also Europeans) we cannot close our eyes to the horrors of the Rwanda genocide of 20 years ago; neither may we, by our inaction, help such butchering to repeat itself. And it is certainly wrong to claim that intervention will not help anyway. Read about the Rwanda of today and you will realise that the people there aren’t «machete waiving nuts» only out to kill others – they are people just like us. Perhaps, our firepower in CAR will suffice to stop potential mass murderers.

Let’s weigh the arguments against Estonian participation. Naturally, it may be asked: in the current security situation, is it prudent to send our soldiers on a mission in Africa? Most probably, this issue will pop up. Now, consider the proportions: Defence Forces are sending, to CAR, a platoon of our soldiers, supported by 16 helps personnel. In times of peace, our forces include up to six thousand men. Thus, CAR gets less than a percent. Also, Bangui gets four armoured vehicles. All in all, Estonia has about 130 (also considering the obvious: the vehicles will go to protect the lives of our men). Estonia’s input isn’t unwisely big, neither too hard for us.

There are other arguments in favour of participating in some African mission. In the current situation, a weighty one may be (practising) cooperation with the French. Considering how active and forceful France has been in crisis of these past years, and also that our Defence Forces have so far lacked direct combat-comradeship with the French, we may say that close cooperation in the rainy and hot CAR will do dozens of times more to raise Estonia’s security – in the current situation – than keeping a platoon on its native soil. 

For Estonia, keeping her promises is vital, as, the way we see it, the trustworthiness of allies is a paramount component of our defence. Let’s also notice that our kinsmen the Finns are also involved in CAR, though not NATO members. Finland does understand the humanitarian aspect of the operation, as well as ally relationships unspecified in NATO treaties. Among other things, the Finns do realise: should a conflict flare up in the Baltic region, it is highly unlikely for Finland to be excluded.