Peacekeeping

Peacekeeping refers to international efforts aimed at creating conditions for sustainable peace in post-conflict or fragile states. It typically involves the deployment of international personnel to monitor truces, provide security, and support political processes. Peacekeeping is distinct from peacemaking, which seeks to negotiate an end to fighting, and from peacebuilding, which focuses on rebuilding institutions after a conflict has ended. In practice, missions are authorized by the United Nations Security Council and often require the consent of the host government and local parties.

Modern peacekeeping is usually multidimensional. It combines military components—observers, troops, and military personnel—with civilian agencies such as police, judges, and development experts. Core tasks include monitoring ceasefires, protecting civilians when mandated, supporting elections and governance mechanisms, promoting human rights, facilitating humanitarian access, demobilization and reintegration of combatants, and assisting with security sector reform.

Principles guiding peacekeeping include consent of the parties, impartiality, and non-use of force except in self-defense or under a UN mandate. Some missions operate under Chapter VII authorization, giving them a more robust mandate to use force to protect civilians or stabilize the environment. Coordination with regional organizations and host-nation authorities is common, and missions may transition responsibilities to local institutions over time.

Notable examples of contemporary peacekeeping missions include the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The effectiveness of peacekeeping is debated; successes are often incremental and contingent on political will, sustained funding, and local capacity, while criticisms focus on casualties, mission creep, and limitations of external actors to resolve root causes of conflict.