Norwegian officer appointed UN force commander in Cyprus
The UN has appointed Norwegian Major General Ingrid Gjerde as the next force commander of UNFICYP, the UN’s peacekeeping mission in Cyprus.
Gjerde is set to be the sixth Norwegian – and the second Norwegian woman – to serve as force commander for a UN peacekeeping mission. The experienced Norwegian officer inherits a long-lasting conflict on an island that has been divided since 1974.
“This is a very important job for the UN and for Norway. I have taken part in peace operations before, and I believe that they contribute to peace and stability. It is an honour and a pleasure to fill such a position. But it is also a challenging task”, she says.
A long military career
Major General Ingrid Gjerde currently serves as head of the Planning Division at the Norwegian Defence Staff in Oslo. The 52-year-old has had a long career in the Norwegian Armed Forces, including several missions abroad. She has been chief for the Norwegian War College, His Majesty the King’s Guard, and the Army Staff. Now, Cyprus awaits her.
“As a small nation we are more dependent than the big nations on international organisations that serve both small and large countries. Where the small countries have a clear voice”, Gjerde says, adding:
“We need to show that Norway is a nation that wishes to contribute to the international society, and that we are not just concerned with our own situation here up north.”
The UN has been present on Cyprus since 1964 and UNFICYP is one of the organisation’s oldest missions. Both the island of Cyprus and the capital Nicosia are divided – between the Turkish-Cypriot Northern Cyprus and the Greek-Cypriot republic of Cyprus in the south. While the latter is part of the EU and NATO, Northern Cyprus is a disputed state recognised only by Turkey. The UN recognises it as territory of the Republic of Cyprus under Turkish occupation.
The UN controls the buffer zone that crosses the entire island. The zone is known as “The Green Line” and divides the capital. The UN also leads the peace talks between the two parties.
“I think it is interesting to go into a conflict like this”, Gjerde says.
The UN mission has had its progresses and backlashes since 1964. Lately, the UN has initiated regular talks between the parties. Gjerde sees this as an opportunity:
“I am coming to Cyprus at a time when there is movement. And when there is movement, there are opportunities”, she says, adding:
“At the same time, you must accept that a conflict like this will not be resolved overnight. But the UN contribution is still important – even if the conflict is not resolved.”
Minister of Defence:
Norwegian Minister of Defence, Frank Bakke-Jensen is happy with the appointment of Gjerde:
“I am very satisfied that Major General Ingrid Gjerde will be the second Norwegian female force commander in a UN peacekeeping operation. She has a broad and varied career in the Norwegian Armed Forces, and an experienced and skilled officer. Her long operational experience will be very useful as force commander in UNFICYP”, says Bakke-Jensen.