The Dilemma of United Nations Peacekeeping

Despite its substantial peacekeeping presence and past successes in regions like Cambodia and Sierra Leone, the United Nations has become increasingly sidelined in major conflicts, such as those in Ukraine and Gaza. The UN's ability to act is severely constrained by the veto power held by the five permanent members of the Security Council (P5). This limitation has sparked growing demands for reform, particularly the expansion of permanent membership to include countries like India, which would better represent the global South. Additionally, revising the veto system could pave the way for more effective and timely peacekeeping interventions.

United Nations Peacekeeping: An Overview
UN Peacekeeping refers to the efforts of the United Nations to assist in maintaining or restoring global peace and stability in areas affected by conflict. Originally designed to address the intricate nature of modern conflicts and support nations transitioning from war to peace, UN Peacekeeping is guided by core principles of consent, impartiality, and non-use of force—except when necessary for self-defense or the protection of its mandate. While the majority of peacekeepers are military personnel or police officers, civilians make up approximately 14% of the total force.

Origins and Development
The UN's peacekeeping mission began in May 1948 when the Security Council authorized a small group of military observers to oversee the Armistice Agreement between Israel and its Arab neighbors. This mission laid the foundation for the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO).Since then, the scope of UN Peacekeeping has expanded significantly. Over the past 70 years, more than one million individuals have served in over 70 peacekeeping missions. Today, around 100,000 military, police, and civilian personnel from 125 countries are engaged in 14 active operations globally.

Key Accomplishments (as of 2022)

1. Conflict Resolution: UN Peacekeepers have played a pivotal role in resolving conflicts in nations like Cambodia, El Salvador, Mozambique, and Sierra Leone. Since 1945, inter-state conflicts have decreased by 40%, thanks in part to UN interventions.
2. Humanitarian Support: UN peacekeepers have safeguarded over 125 million civilians in war zones, facilitating humanitarian aid delivery, supporting refugee returns, and ensuring resettlement efforts.
3. State-Building: Peacekeepers have helped foster democracy by overseeing elections in over 75 countries, building governmental institutions, and assisting in the reform of security sectors, including training local law enforcement and military personnel.

Factors Contributing to the Diminished Role of Peacekeeping Forces

• Geopolitical Tensions and Veto Power:
  • Increasing political polarization among the P5 members of the Security Council leads to frequent vetoes.
  • Russia, since 2011, has used its veto 19 times, particularly regarding Syria, Ukraine, and other conflicts.
  • The U.S. vetoed a 2023 resolution for humanitarian pauses in Gaza, stalling efforts to provide vital aid.
  • This political deadlock delays the timely deployment of peacekeepers, exacerbating civilian suffering in conflicts like Ukraine and Gaza.
• Financial and Resource Limitations:
  • Peacekeeping operations face chronic funding shortages, threatening mission sustainability.
  • Underfunded missions, such as UNIFIL in Lebanon, struggle to operate effectively, especially in regions of heightened tension.
  • Insufficient resources impair the effectiveness and morale of peacekeepers, hindering mission success.
• Evolving Nature of Conflicts:
  • Modern conflicts now involve urban warfare, cyber attacks, and non-state actors, which traditional peacekeeping forces are ill-equipped to handle.
  • The Gaza conflict illustrates how conventional peacekeeping approaches are inadequate in urban combat zones.
  • Hybrid warfare in Ukraine, combining cyber attacks and conventional tactics, exceeds the capabilities of current UN peacekeeping mandates and equipment.
• Sovereignty Issues and Host Country Resistance:
  • Many host nations resist the presence of UN peacekeepers, viewing them as interference in internal affairs.
  • Countries like Sudan, Mali, and the DRC have pushed for the withdrawal of UN missions, weakening peace efforts.
  • Premature mission exits often leave security vacuums, leading to escalated violence, as seen in Mali post-MINUSMA withdrawal.
• Reputation Damage from Past Failures:
  • Past failures, such as the inability to prevent the genocides in Rwanda and Srebrenica, have damaged the credibility of UN peacekeeping.
  • Ongoing inaction in conflicts has further eroded trust in UN operations.
  • Scandals involving sexual exploitation by peacekeepers and the Haiti cholera outbreak have further diminished public and host nation confidence.
• Rise of Regional Alternatives:
  • Regional organizations, such as the African Union (in Somalia) and the Arab League, are increasingly taking the lead in peacekeeping efforts.
  • These organizations can often respond more quickly and have a better understanding of local contexts.
  • However, regional forces generally lack the resources and global legitimacy that UN-led operations bring.
• Technological and Operational Gaps:
  • UN peacekeeping forces often lack the modern technology and surveillance capabilities needed for today’s complex conflicts.
  • While national militaries use drones, AI, and advanced communications, UN forces are limited to basic equipment.
  • This technological gap hinders their ability to monitor ceasefire violations and respond to tech-enabled warfare, as seen in Ukraine.
• Lack of Political Will for Reform:
  • Despite recommendations for reform, such as those from the 2015 HIPPO report, progress has been slow.
  • Proposals to expand the Security Council or change the veto power structure remain stalled.
  • This institutional inertia prevents the UN from adapting to the evolving nature of global conflicts, maintaining outdated operational models.

India's Contribution to UN Peacekeeping Missions

• Historical Leadership and Personnel Contribution:
  • India is the largest cumulative contributor to UN peacekeeping, having deployed over 253,000 troops across more than 49 missions.
  • Over 160 Indian soldiers have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to global peace.
  • Indian forces have been active participants in numerous peacekeeping operations around the world.
• Technical and Medical Expertise:
  • Indian peacekeepers are recognized for their technical proficiency, particularly in providing medical support.
  • India has deployed medical teams to support UN missions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and South Sudan.
  • India’s contribution to the ONUMOZ mission (1992-94) in Mozambique included engineering companies, logistical support, and military observers.
• Specialized Military Capabilities:
  • India has provided specialized military assets, including attack helicopters, transport aircraft, and engineering units.
  • In 2003, India’s Aviation Contingent-I (IAC-I) provided crucial air support to peacekeeping operations in Goma with Mi-25 attack helicopters and Mi-17 utility helicopters.
  • Indian signal units have played a vital role in establishing and maintaining communications networks in various peacekeeping missions.
• Training and Capacity Building:
  • The Centre for UN Peacekeeping (CUNPK) in New Delhi has trained over 67,000 personnel for participation in 37 out of 56 UN peacekeeping missions.
  • India has pioneered pre-deployment training, especially focusing on preventing sexual exploitation and abuse, ensuring 100% of its personnel receive this training.
• Policy Contributions and Advocacy for Reforms:
  • India has been a key player in shaping UN peacekeeping policies, especially through its active involvement in the C-34 (Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations).
  • India has consistently advocated for greater representation of troop-contributing countries in decision-making processes, leading to improved consultation mechanisms within the UN.
• Women in Peacekeeping:
  • India has made notable strides in gender inclusivity by deploying Female Engagement Teams (FETs) in places like the Democratic Republic of Congo and Abyei.
  • India also deployed women military police in the Golan Heights and women staff officers in various missions.
  • Major Radhika Sen’s selection for the “Military Gender Advocate of the Year 2023” by the UN reflects India’s commitment to enhancing the role of women in peacekeeping.
• Humanitarian Assistance and Community Engagement:
  • Indian peacekeepers have been leaders in community engagement, including implementing quick impact projects to aid local populations.
  • In South Sudan, about 1,160 Indian troops are involved in rehabilitating infrastructure, such as roads, and enhancing local community capacity.
  • Despite being a developing country, India has consistently contributed to the UN Peacebuilding Fund.
  • In 2021, India sent 200,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines to protect UN peacekeepers serving in missions, demonstrating its dedication to the health and safety of personnel in the field.

Measures to Enhance the Effectiveness of Peacekeeping Missions

Reform of the Security Council and Decision-Making:

• Structural reforms are necessary, including the expansion of permanent membership to include influential regional powers like India, Brazil, and South Africa.
• Establish a "code of conduct" for the use of veto power, particularly in cases involving mass atrocities or genocides.
• Introduce a weighted voting system to address the paralysis caused by the P5 veto and enable timely peacekeeping decisions.
• Develop a rapid response mechanism for swift deployment in situations of imminent threat to civilian lives.
• Set clear, achievable, and time-bound mission mandates, with well-defined exit strategies to ensure accountability and effectiveness.

Financial and Resource Improvements:

• Establish mandatory financial contributions from member states to prevent delays in funding peacekeeping missions.
• Create a dedicated peacekeeping reserve fund to facilitate rapid deployment in emergency situations.
• Foster public-private partnerships to enhance logistics and support for peacekeeping operations.
• Ensure prompt payment of performance-based incentives for troop-contributing countries, addressing concerns like the $55 million owed to India in 2017 for peacekeeping contributions.
• Set up regional equipment hubs for peacekeeping forces to reduce deployment times and minimize costs.

Technological Advancements:

• Integrate AI and machine learning technologies for real-time threat assessment and early warning systems.
• Deploy advanced surveillance tools such as drones (UAVs) and satellite imagery to improve situational awareness and operational efficiency.
• Utilize blockchain technology for transparent tracking of resources and supply chain management.
• Strengthen cybersecurity protocols to safeguard mission communications and sensitive data.
• Develop mobile apps to facilitate real-time information sharing and enhance civilian protection through alerts.

Training and Capacity Development:

• Establish standardized global training centers that offer mission-specific simulations to better prepare peacekeepers for diverse scenarios.
• Implement mandatory cross-cultural and language training to improve communication and understanding among peacekeeping forces.
• Develop specialized training modules focused on urban warfare, counter-terrorism, and other contemporary threats.
• Organize joint training exercises between different troop-contributing countries to foster collaboration and improve coordination.
• Integrate local cultural insights and knowledge into training programs to ensure sensitivity and effectiveness in diverse environments.

Gender Equality and Inclusion:

• Incorporate gender-responsive budgeting in mission planning and execution.
• Increase the deployment of female peacekeepers through targeted recruitment and retention strategies.
• Appoint gender advisors at all levels of peacekeeping missions to enhance gender-sensitive decision-making.
• Develop comprehensive, gender-sensitive protection strategies that address the specific needs of women and children in conflict zones.
• Promote the active participation of women in peacebuilding and peacekeeping processes.

Accountability and Oversight:

• Enforce a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct, with swift investigation and resolution mechanisms.
• Set up independent oversight bodies to evaluate mission performance and ensure accountability.
• Create transparent reporting systems to assess operational effectiveness and maintain public trust.
• Establish community feedback mechanisms to assess the impact of peacekeeping operations on local populations.
• Strengthen internal audit procedures and anti-corruption measures to enhance transparency and integrity within missions.

Regional Cooperation and Partnerships:

• Build formal partnerships with regional organizations such as the African Union (AU), European Union (EU), and ASEAN for better coordination.
• Develop joint rapid response capabilities with regional forces to improve mission flexibility and speed.
• Implement shared logistics and support systems to optimize resource use and enhance operational efficiency.
• Plan comprehensive exit strategies from the outset of missions to ensure sustainable peacebuilding and transition.
• Promote long-term peace initiatives that continue after the completion of peacekeeping missions, fostering lasting stability.

Key Takeaways:
Despite its sizable peacekeeping presence and historical achievements, the UN’s ability to address modern conflicts is compromised by the veto power of the P5 members and ongoing resource limitations. To strengthen its impact, the UN must implement comprehensive reforms, such as expanding the Security Council and overhauling its financial structures. Furthermore, it must modernize its peacekeeping strategies, adapting to the changing dynamics of contemporary warfare while investing in advanced technologies to enhance its operational capabilities.

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