United Nations and Overseas Policing Association of Australia

Where we served - Mozambique

The Mission was established by Security Council Resolution 782 of 13 October 1992 to monitor and verify the cease-fire, the separation and concentration of forces, their demobilization and the collection, storage and destruction of weapons; to monitor and verify the complete withdrawal of foreign forces; to monitor and verify the disbanding of private and irregular armed groups; to authorize security arrangements for vital infrastructures; to provide security for the United Nations and other international activities in support of the peace process, especially in the corridors; to provide technical assistance and monitor the entire electoral process; to coordinate and monitor all humanitarian assistance operations, in particular those related to refugees, internally displaced persons, demobilized military personnel and the affected local population and to facilitate the implementation of the general peace agreement for Mozambique. Upon completion of the task, the Mission was terminated in January 1995.

The colour combination for the ribbon and bars consists of a central wide band of UN blue flanked by two narrow bands of white, representing the Peace, and two bands in green on the sides, representing the tropical climate of Mozambique. Qualifying time for the medal is 90 days of service in the Mission.

The countries of Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Brazil, Botswana, Canada, Cape Verde, the People's Republic of China, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Malaysia, Nepal, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Portugal, the Russian Federation, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Togo, the United States of America, Uruguay and Zambia provided military observers, police observers or troops to this Mission.

Where we served - Somalia

UNOSOM was established on 24 April 1992 by Security Council Resolution 751. In accordance with the agreements reached with the two main Somali factions in Mogadishu, the cease-fire in the capital was to be monitored by a group of 50 unarmed, uniformed United Nations military observers. The observers were to be deployed along the demarcation line separating Mogadishu into two zones. As regards humanitarian assistance, the security personnel envisaged in the agreements were to provide protection and security for United Nations personnel, equipment and supplies at the port of Mogadishu and escort deliveries of humanitarian supplies from there to distribution centres in the city and its immediate environs. They were also to provide security for United Nations personnel, equipment and supplies at the airport in Mogadishu. They were to provide the United Nations’ convoys of relief supplies with a sufficiently strong military escort to deter attack; they were authorized to fire in self-defence as a last resort if deterrence should not prove effective. On 28 August, the Security Council, by its resolution 775 authorized an increase in strength of UNOSOM by four additional UN security units, for the protection of the humanitarian convoys and distribution centres throughout Somalia. Several of the Somali de facto authorities refused to agree to the deployment of United Nations troops and only one battalion and military observers were deployed to Mogadishu. Relief shipswere blocked from docking and even shelled. Air and seaports came under fire resulting in the non-delivery of relief supplies to areas where the need was most acute. On 3 December 1992, the Security Council authorized the use of all necessary means to establish, as soon as possible, a secure environment for humanitarian and relief operations in Somalia.The first elements of the Unified Task Force, spearheaded by the United States of America, were deployed in Mogadishu on 9 December 1992. Once their task was accomplished, the military command was handed over to the United Nations. Meanwhile, UNOSOM remained fully responsible for the political aspects and for humanitarian assistance to Somalia. In February 1994, after several violent incidents and attacks on United Nations soldiers, the Security Council revised UNOSOM II's mandate to exclude the use of coercive methods. UNOSOM II was withdrawn in early March 1995.

The background of the ribbon is sand or buff coloured symbolizing the dessert, with a wide center band of UN blue flanked by narrow stripes of dark green symbolizing hope. Qualifying time for the medal is 90 days of service in the Mission.

The countries of Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Botswana, Canada, Czechoslovakia, Egypt, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Kuwait, Jordan, Malaysia, Morocco, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, the Republic of Korea, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Tunisia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America and Zimbabwe provide observers or troops to this Mission.

Where we served - Solomon Islands

Following a request from the Solomon Islands Government and the Pacific Island Forum in 2003, the Australian Government organised 11 Pacific nations into a regional force to assist our Melanesian neighbour restore law and order after a break down of the rule of law.

The multinational force became known as the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI). Along with members of New Zealand and other Pacific nations’ police, approximately 235 AFP and Australian Protective Service personnel arrived in country in July 2003 as part of the Participating Police Force to help the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force restore law and order services.