The United Nations has appointed Major General Jose Eladio Alcain of Uruguay as Chief Military Observer and Head of Mission for the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan to monitor ceasefire in disputed Jammu and Kashmir
Major General Alcain, picked by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, will head the UNMOGIP at a time of fresh tensions between the two nuclear-armed South Asian countries, who both claim Jammu and Kashmir region in its entirety.
The two countries control parts of the Himalayan territory and often trade fire in violation of ceasefire along the so-called Line of Control.
The last two years have seen a strong insurgency in Indian controlled Kashmir, with local people holding protests against occupation and demanding freedom. The Indian forces have retaliated with use of force including pellet guns that have blinded several people, incurring international condemnation. Recently, the chief minister of the area resigned amid turmoil, and the UN Human Rights Council released an unprecedented report, document Indian violations of human rights through brutal tactics.
As head of the UN military observers group, Alcain will succeed Major General Per Gustaf Lodin of Sweden, who will complete his two-year assignment in July 2018.
“The Secretary-General is grateful to Major General Lodin for his contribution to United Nations peacekeeping efforts,” a UN spokesman said.
A UN Military Observer Group representative visits a hospital in Kotli, Pakistan Administered Kashmir
Photo: ISPR, Pakistan
During his long career, Alcain has had extensive peacekeeping experience, having served in five peacekeeping operations, including United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR) (1994-1995), United Nations Angola Verification Mission III (UNAVEM) (1996-1997), United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission (UNIKOM) (1999-2000), United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) (2003-2004), and United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) (2006-2007 and 2011-2012).
Alcain is a graduate of the Uruguayan War College and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Political Science from the Uruguayan National University. He has also attended the UN Senior Mission Leaders course in 2017.
UNMOGIP is one of the oldest UN missions in disputed territories. It was deployed in January 1949 to supervise the ceasefire between India and Pakistan in the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
Based in Rawalpindi the Group is composed of 43 military observers and 23 international civilian personnel.
