Abstract
In 1993, the Canadian peacekeeping operation in Somalia came under international scrutiny when a young Somali, Shidane Arone, was beaten to death. His killing cast a dark shadow over a Canadian mission that aimed to provide humanitarian assistance and ensure Canada’s international reputation as a promoter of human rights. Subsequent investigations revealed that 2 Commando, the unit that killed Arone, had been involved in several violent incidents with civilians. However, other Canadian units in similarly hostile conditions had offered comfort and assistance to civilians. After examining training records, enforcement of civilian protection norms, and unit subculture, the author finds that 2 Commando had developed a pernicious subculture that led them to quickly escalate situations to violence and endanger civilians. Although responsibility for Arone’s death was properly attributed to the members of the unit, failures in socialization, particularly in ignoring 2 Commando’s countercultural subculture, occurred throughout the chain of command.
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- 1.
1 Commando draws its soldiers from the French Canadian Royal 22e Regiment. 2 Commando’s soldiers come from Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry . 3 Commando’s soldiers are from the Royal Canadian Regiment.
- 2.
Some soldiers also blamed the drug mefloquine for their violent behavior. The Canadian government required all soldiers to take the anti-malarial drug; the drug can have dangerous side effects, including hallucinations, migraines, and extreme agitation. However, over the course of the inquiry, there was little evidence of a direct connection or correlation between the violence toward civilians and soldiers taking the drug. (Dishonoured Legacy, vol. 5, 1387–1395).
- 3.
The Commission of Inquiry asked Prof. Brodeur to study the CAR as a part of their investigation.
- 4.
Reports surfaced of mistreatment of detainees in the Royal Canadian Dragoons camp in May 1993. Dishonoured Legacy, vol. 5, 1430.
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Siver, C. (2018). The Dark Side of Peacekeeping: The Canadian Airborne Regiment in Somalia. In: Military Interventions, War Crimes, and Protecting Civilians. Palgrave Pivot, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-77691-0_5
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