UN official lays out challenges, priorities for future of peacekeeping

 

Ladsous said that over the decades, conflicts have become fewer in number but are likely to be “more intractable,” with some countries, like the Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC) and South Sudan confronting a second or third wave of struggle.

“UN peacekeeping is striving to provide a dynamic response in some of the planet’s most complicated and difficult places,” he said, describing the circumstances in which, he added, nearly 120,000 personnel serve in some 17 missions around the world – a number which would increase as the newest operation, in the Central African Republic, is deployed and the mission in South Sudan is reinforced.

He pointed to the latter operation as a prime example of how UN missions adapt in tough circumstances to new crises, in this case, rapidly transforming to protect civilians, some 90,000 of which are now seeking shelter on the mission’s sites.

Mr. Ladsous also presented innovations of the UN mission in the DRC, known as MONUSCO, which has introduced unmanned unarmed aerial vehicles to cover greater territory and has gone after armed groups in the east with “determination and vigour.”

“These examples of innovation have demonstrated our willingness to innovate and seek creative solutions. But a more systemic and collective effort is needed to further strengthen UN peacekeeping going forward,” he said.

More dangerous environments, the frequent absence of a viable peace process, organized crime and terrorism are some of the factors that must be taken into consideration in that process, he said.

As such, more robust mandates, reconciliation tasks, better protection strategies, increased capability of peacekeepers, more rapid deployment and more attention to extension of State authority and effective stewardship of resources are some of responses that need to be honed into best practices.

However, he added they all must be underpinned by international solidarity, with the contributions from countries broadened and deepened, stronger coordination with regional actors, and, most importantly, aunified international stance behind peacekeeping and the changes needed to make it more effective.

“When the UN can speak in one voice, the result will be a strengthened and renewed instrument for the advancement of international peace and security in an increasingly complex and challenging world,” Mr. Ladsous said.

 

MINUSMA peacekeepers in Kidal, Mali. Photo: MINUSMA/Blagoje Grujic