United Nations Peacekeeping Operations

Introduction to UN Peacekeeping

• UN Peacekeeping Operations are authorized by the UN Security Council.
• Deployment occurs after a resolution is passed, enabling the Secretariat to mobilize resources.
• The political will of the international community is vital for the effectiveness of peacekeeping missions.

Mission Mandates and Categories

• Each mission has a unique mandate tailored to address specific issues on the ground.
• Missions fall into three primary categories:
  • Chapter 6: Monitoring and observation (traditional peacekeeping, mainly from the 1960s-80s).
  • Chapter 7: Peace enforcement.
  • Chapter 8: Collaboration with other multilateral institutions.

Personnel Involved

• Peacekeepers come from over 150 countries and fall into three categories:
  • Military: Includes infantry battalions and specialized units.
  • Civilian: Comprises both international and national personnel.
  • Police: Can be individual police officers, monitors, or formed police units (e.g., riot police).

Operations and Objectives

• UN peacekeeping missions have been authorized approximately 70 times over the past seven decades.
• They aim to fulfill tasks such as:
  • Protection of civilians.
  • Guaranteeing political and electoral processes.
  • Ensuring human rights.
  • Facilitating the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

Successful Missions and Conclusion

• Most peacekeeping missions have successfully completed their mandates and are now closed.
• UN peacekeeping operations reflect the collective political will of the international community and help protect civilians in conflict-ridden areas.
• These missions are partnerships between the UN and contributing countries, emphasizing global cooperation.