United Nations Observer Mission in South Africa (UNOMSA): the Dutch contribution

The Security Council showed its support for the National Peace Accord by adopting resolution 772 of 17 August 1992, creating an observer mission: the United Nations Observer Mission in South Africa (UNOMSA).

The 50 UN observers were posted to those areas where the Peace Committees were active. They had to attend the meetings of those committees, maintain contacts with political parties and local authorities and make their presence felt at important political gatherings.

Royal Netherlands Marechaussee personnel

On 4 June 1993, Captain P.H. Rutten and First Lieutenant A. Sietsma of the Royal Marechaussee set off as observers for Klerksdorp and the UNOMSA headquarters in Johannesburg respectively. During his posting, Rutten was transferred to the North and Central Johannesburg district and was later stationed in Durban. Both officers returned to the Netherlands on 6 December 1993.