Military Observer Group Dominican Republic (MOGDR)

International Information

International Operation Name: Military Observer Group Dominican Republic

International Mission Name: Military Observer Group Dominican Republic (MOGDR)

Mandating Organization: United Nations

Region Name: Central America

Location: Dominican Republic

Mission Date: 1 September 1994 - 30 September 1994

Mission Mandate: To monitor the border between the Dominican Republic and Haiti, and provide advice to the Dominican government regarding the enforcement of the United Nations embargo against the Haitian government.

Supported by UN Security Council resolution 917 (1994).

In September 1991 a military coup d’état in Haiti overthrew the democratically elected government of Jean Bertrand Aristide. A UN-sponsored oil and weapons embargo was imposed against Haiti in June 1993. One month later Haitian military and political leaders signed the Governors Island Agreement that called for the resumption of civilian rule. President Aristide was to return to Haiti by October 30, 1993, and the leadership of the Haitian military was to give up all political power. The Agreement also called for the United Nations to assist in modernizing the armed forces and establishing a new police force in Haiti. Accordingly, on September 23 1993, the United Nations Security Council authorized the establishment and despatch of the United Nations Mission in Haiti (UNMIH). When the military government refused to permit members of the United Nations to land, the UN increased the sanctions imposed on the Haitian military regime. 

Ships from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Argentina and the Netherlands were deployed to Haitian waters and served with the multinational Maritime Interdiction Operation (MIO) to monitor and enforce UN sanctions. Operation FORWARD ACTION had the mandate of ensuring that cargo bound for Haiti did not violate UN sanctions. In addition, a Multinational Observers Group in Dominican Republic (MOGDR) was established to supervise the embargo on the border between the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Military personnel from Canada, the United States and Argentina participated in the MOGDR.

Canadian Forces (CF) Information (CADENCE)

Name: CADENCE

CF Mission/Operation Notes: Designated Operation CADENCE, the first Spanish-speaking officer from the Canadian Forces deployed briefly with MOGDR’s advance team in May 1994. Another CF officer was sent in August, and was joined by fourteen other CF personnel in early September. Their responsibilities included observing the border and reporting on the traffic crossing between the two countries. 

On July 31 1994, acting under Chapter VII of the UN charter, UNSC Resolution 940 authorized the formation of a Multinational Force (MNF) to "use all necessary means" to implement the Governors Island Agreement. It also called for the deployment of 6000 personnel as part of an expanded UNMIH, which would replace the MNF once a permissive environment was established. 

By late September 1994 the presence of the MOGDR was no longer required as the American-led Multinational Force (MNF) placed troops in positions to monitor the embargo from inside Haiti. The Canadians received their redeployment order at the end of the month, bringing Operation CADENCE to a conclusion.