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UN Peacekeeping and

Peace Operations

Background and Overview1948-2012

United Nations peacekeeping is a key instrument of Member States in support of the maintenance of international peace and security.

Secretary General Ban ki-Moon, Dec 2011

Current Views on PeacekeepingCurrent Views on Peacekeeping

I also appreciate its incredible growth, both in size and in the varied multi-dimensionality of the missions. Of course, this presents even greater challenges.

Hervé Ladsous, Under Secretary General

Department of Peacekeeping Operations, Dec 2011

UN System

High Commissioner for Refugees

UN Development

Program

World Food Program

UN Children’s

Fund

Other UNOrganizations

GeneralAssembly

SecurityCouncil

SecretaryGeneral

Secretariat

Office of Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

Department of Peace-Keeping Operations

(DPKO)

Other UN Departments

Department of Field Support

THE UNITED NATIONS SYSTEMTHE UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM

THESE MISSIONS CAUSED A COMPLETE REVIEW OF UN PEACEKEEPING AND THE ROLE OF THE UN

WATERSHED EVENTS Somalia Rwanda Bosnia-Herzegovina (Srebrenica)

……….Kosovo, East Timor & Iraq

• First Generation - Traditional Peacekeeping (1948-1990)• Second Generation - Expanded Peacekeeping that included

peace enforcement operations (1990-1995)• Third Generation - Expanded peacekeeping within the limits

of the UN’s ability. More complex, smaller in size and focused on peace building. Generally this does not include peace enforcement (Chapter VII) operations (1995-1999)

• Fourth Generation - Expanded peacekeeping, but the United Nations is taking on more peacbuilding activities. Lead Nations and Regional Organizations conducting peace enforcement operations.

Evolution of UN PeacekeepingEvolution of UN Peacekeeping

Traditional Peacekeeping1948-1989

• Focused on separation of forces engaged in inter state wars

• Cease fires and peace agreements were common – usually under Chapter VI

• Generally an observe and report mission with only use of force as self defenseUN missions did not solve conflict

These kinds of peacekeeping missions are still useful today (Cyprus, India-Pakistan, Middle East)

2nd Generation Peacekeeping1989-2001

• After end of Cold War, UN peacekeeping began taking on more robust missions.

• Peacekeepers were not trained and prepared to use force, although use of force was often authorized – Chapter VII

• These kinds of missions caused the UN Secretary General to re-evaluate UN peacekeeping

MissionsUNPROFOR - BosniaUNOSOM - SomaliaUNTAC – Cambodia

4th Generation Peacekeeping:Peacekeeping to Peacebuilding

• Peacekeepers establish security conditions so peacebuilding can begin

• More robust mission, usually under Chapter VII

• Requires integrated mission planning and all parts of the UN participate

• Mission must take a long term view focused on resolving the conflict

UN Peacekeeping - Historical Perspective

• - First peacekeeping mission authorized by the Security Council started in June 1948.

• - Between 1948 and 1988 there were 15 total missions.

• - Since 1989 there have been 47 new missions.• Number of new missions established each year:

• 1989 - 3 1993 - 6 1997 - 4 2001- 0 2005- 1 2009 - 0• 1990 - 0 1994 - 2 1998 – 3 2002- 0 2006- 1 2010 – 2• 1991 - 5 1995 - 4 1999 – 2 2003- 0 2007- 3 2011- 3• 1992 - 4 1996 - 2 2000 - 1 2004- 3 2008- 0•

• - Currently there are 16 UN peacekeeping missions with a troop strength 98,695 (May 2012) with 117 nations providing military peacekeepers and a budget of $7.84 billion

Growth in UN Peacekeeping

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RESOURCES – MONEY AND PEOPLE

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Current United Nations Peacekeeping MissionsCurrent UN Peacekeeping

Department of Peacekeeping Operations

UN Missions in the field

Brahimi ReportThe Way Ahead

• The UN Secretary General assembled the best group of experts possible.

• Comprehensive report released 21 August 2000. 56 recommendations Addresses all aspects of peacekeeping – DPKO and the

field Excellent report and if adopted will enhance UN

Peacekeeping• Implementation Report – Oct 2000• Report of Secretary General – June 2001• Brahimi Report received international praise• Biggest issue was funding

Created in the early 1990s to track lessons learned in Peacekeeping Operations.

Brahimi Report recommended that the Lessons Learned Unit be better integrated into the management of peace operations.

Best Practices unit now has a comprehensive website with many good reports and summaries.

Best Practices Section seeks to: 1) to capture the knowledge gained by the United Nations in peacekeeping; 2) to disseminate best practices, at headquarters and in the field; and 3) to promote the adaptation and use of best practices

Created in April 1993 – based on complaints from the field that there was no one to report to after duty hours in New York

Peacekeeping operations became more complex in the 1990s required immediate guidance during critical situations.

Moved under the Office of Operations

Point of contact for all DPKO field missions

Monitors reports from the field, gathers information about missions from a variety of sources.

Acts as central office for crisis management

UN Principles and Guidelines(2008 doctrine – updated 2010)

• THE EVOLUTION OF UNITED NATIONS PEACEKEEPINGPrinciples: Consent of the parties, Impartiality, Non-use of force except in self-defence and defence of the mandate.

• PLANNING UNITED NATIONS PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS• Integrated Mission Planning – across the entire UN system

• THE ART OF SUCCESSFUL MANDATE IMPLEMENTATION• Starting a new Mission• Supporting and Sustaining United Nations Peacekeeping

Operations

Definitions

A technique designed to

preserve the peace

Where fighting has

halted and assist in the

implementation of

agreements achieved by

peace makers. Usually

under Chapter VI of the

UN Charter.

Involves the application of

a range of coercive

measures, including the

use of military force.

Restore international

peace and security when

there is a threat to

international peace.

Usually under chapter VIIUN Peacekeeping: Principles and Guidelines, 2008 reviewed 2010

Definitions

Measures to address conflict in progress and usually involves diplomatic action to bring hostile parties to a negotiated settlement.

Involves a range of

measures targeted to

reduce the risk of

lapsing or relapsing

into conflict by

strengthening national

capacities at all levels

and lay the foundation

for sustainable peace

and development

UN Peacekeeping: Principles and Guidelines, 2008 reviewed 2010

Chapter VI vs Chapter VIIof UN Charter

Chapter VI vs Chapter VIIof UN Charter

PEACEKEEPING

CHAPTER VI

CONDUCTED BY THE UN

PEACE ENFORCEMENTCHAPTER VIICONDUCTED BY LEAD NATION OR REGIONAL ORGANIZATION

WAR

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Spectrum of UN Peace and Security Activities

A UN “Peacekeeping” Operation

can be deployedin any phase of

the UNs Spectrum ofPeace and Security

Activities

The boundaries between Conflict Prevention, Peacemaking,Peacekeeping, Peacebuilding and Peace Enforcement have

become increasingly blurred!

Peace

Conflict

PostConflict

On-goingthroughout

ConflictResolution

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FUNDAMENTAL GUIDING PRINCIPLES for conducting

UN PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS

OLD

• Consent• Impartiality• Non-use of force except

in self-defense

NEW• Consent• Impartiality• Non-use of Force except in self

defense & defense of the mandate

New doctrine adds: Key Factors for Mission Success

• Credibility• Legitimacy• Promotion of National and Local

Ownership

UN Doctrine

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Variation in Command-Control-Coordination in Current Peacekeeping Operations

• “Blue Helmet” Operation– UN-led: UN exercises “Command and Control” over a variety of components

within a single mission. UN financed

• Integrated Operations– UN and different organizations operate within a single, or joined chain of

command

• Coordinated Operations– UN and other organizations operate side-by-side under separate command

structures in a coordinated fashion

• Parallel Operations– UN is deployed alongside an other organizations’ force without formal

coordination

• Sequential Operations– UN precedes or follows a multi-national, regional or bi-lateral force

• Hybrid– Two organizations jointly appoint mission leadership

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Code of Conduct

• Zero-tolerance policy laid out in Secretary-Generals Bulletin

• High standards• Establishment of Conduct and Discipline

Units• Professional investigative capacity• Mission Leadership and management issue

CDU now assigned to each Mission Headquarters

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Force Enablers

• Engineering Units• Aviation units

– Lift and Attack Helicopters

• Level 3 Hospitals• Communication / Communications Intercept

units• Qualified Staff Officers and Military Observers

Not enough, not timely

New Horizons for UN Peacekeeping2009

• Follow on report to Brahimi Report

• Reason - the scale and complexity of peacekeeping today are mismatched with existing capabilities

• Expand partnerships beyond DPKO

• Some challenges to address:– Continue to support ceasefires and agreements betewen two or

more parties– Support to existing national authorities– Support to post conflict peacebuilding – Provide security and protection in response to conflict

2nd Progress Report on New Horizon initiative was positive

KEY DOCUMENTS

• Peace Agreement

• Mandate (UN Security Council Resolution)

• Status of Forces/Mission Agreement (SOFA/SOMA)

• Terms of Reference

• Rules of Engagement (ROE)

• Memoranda of Understandings (MOUs)

Note: These are living documents than need continuous management

UN Peacekeeping2011 Year in Review

• Impressive people and good year – USYG Ladsous– 121,591 Peacekeepers– $7.8 billion budget– 114 contributing countries– 16 Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding missions

• 2011 Report on UN Peacekeeping– Good year for UN peacekeeping, but with challenges– Several missions presented challenges - Côte d’Ivoire,

South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo– Still some shortages in critical items, specifically

helicopter units– Protection of civilians has been relatively good

“Support for peace operations will remain for the foreseeable future one of the most important missions for many armed forces. Naval forces are expected to continue to play, at times, a major role in the success of such operations.”

Milan Vego, Professor U.S. Naval War College

“Evolution of International and UN Peacekeeping”, 2011, NWC 3008C

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