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United Nations peacekeeping operations operate in some of the most challenging environments around the world, tasked with managing conflicts, post-war repercussions, and supporting peace processes. Since 1945, the UN has contributed significantly to global peace and stability by providing humanitarian aid, assisting refugees, promoting climate change initiatives, conducting international peacekeeping missions, and aiding countries with elections. According to the UN (2020), the organization’s efforts have included feeding 90 million people, assisting 34 million refugees, and working with 140 nations to address climate issues, alongside conducting seventy-one peacekeeping missions and supporting over fifty countries annually with election processes.

Despite these achievements, the UN’s record is marred by notable failures, especially evident during the genocides in Rwanda and Bosnia. These events highlight the limitations and failures of UN intervention and protection efforts. The UN comprises several interconnected organs, with all 193 member states participating in the General Assembly, and decisions made within the Security Council influenced by the geopolitical interests of its permanent members. The organization's peacekeeping operations, such as those in Africa and the Middle East, are often scrutinized for their effectiveness and ethical implications (UN.org, 2020).

When evaluating the effectiveness of UN peacekeeping, its ability to reduce conflict and uphold human rights is central. The UN often relies on media pressure and global diplomacy to hold violators accountable. However, studies indicate that the success rate of UN interventions in intrastate conflicts (conflicts within countries) remains low, especially under complex internal conflicts fueled by ethnic tensions (Bercovitch & Jackson, 2009). Thashi Tharoor (2011) critiques the Security Council’s structure, emphasizing that its composition reflects the geopolitical realities of 1945 rather than today, which undermines its legitimacy and ability to respond swiftly and fairly to crises.

Nevertheless, the UN measures its success not solely through conflict suppression but also through the promotion of consent-based peace agreements, local ownership of peace processes, and the legitimate perception of its interventions. Countries such as Sierra Leone, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Timor-Leste, Liberia, Haiti, and Kosovo exemplify UN efforts to support fragile states, establish basic security guarantees, and foster political transitions (UN, 2020). Despite these efforts, institutions on the ground face structural flaws, including the prolonged presence of peacekeeping missions in resource-rich and conflict-prone regions, raising questions about strategic priorities.

Critics argue that the UN's focus on conflict management rather than resolution has often failed to eradicate the root causes of violence, such as poverty, land disputes, and governance issues. For instance, in Sierra Leone, ongoing challenges like food insecurity, malnutrition, maternal mortality, and limited access to clean water continue despite the UN’s involvement. These persistent issues suggest that peacekeeping efforts need to expand beyond immediate security measures into sustainable development initiatives (UN Peacekeeping, 2020)..

Furthermore, the delayed and limited scope of global food security initiatives underscore the UN’s reactive rather than proactive approach. The 2010 announcement of a US$900 million ‘food security’ program—funded by global partners including the USA, Canada, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation—illustrates the organization’s attempt to address long-term issues (Sasson, 2012). However, critics argue that the allocation of funds and strategies often reflect the priorities of donor nations rather than the needs of recipient countries, with allegations that some aid practices may serve covert political or demographic objectives rather than genuinely improving food sovereignty or economic independence in Africa.

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United Nations peacekeeping operations have become a hallmark of international efforts to maintain peace and security, operating in complex and often volatile environments where conflicts are deeply rooted in ethnic, political, and socio-economic factors. Since their inception, UN missions have achieved notable successes, such as stabilizing post-conflict regions, organizing elections, supporting development, and assisting millions of vulnerable populations. Yet, these efforts are often shadowed by significant failures, exemplified by tragedies like Rwanda and Bosnia, where the UN failed to prevent mass atrocities despite its mandates and resources. The dichotomy between success and failure highlights the complexities of peace operations and raises critical questions regarding the organization’s effectiveness and legitimacy.

At the core of UN peacekeeping’s effectiveness is its mechanism for conflict mitigation and peacebuilding. The organization’s success heavily depends on factors such as the legitimacy of its mandates, the support of member states, and the capacity of peacekeepers on the ground. Empirical research shows that UN peace interventions are particularly effective in ending or reducing interstate conflicts. Doyle and Sambanis (2000) emphasize the importance of sustained international military presence and peace treaties in achieving durable peace. Conversely, intrastate conflicts, especially those involving ethnic or ideological divisions, pose a more significant challenge due to their complex internal dynamics and resistance to external intervention.

One of the critical structural issues facing the UN is its Security Council’s composition and decision-making process. The five veto-holding permanent members—United States, China, Russia, France, and the United Kingdom—reflect the geopolitical landscape of 1945 but are criticized for lacking regional diversity and democratic legitimacy (Tharoor, 2011). This imbalance hampers swift and equitable responses to crises and fosters skepticism among non-permanent members and the global community. Critics argue that expanding the Security Council to include representatives from Africa, Latin America, and other underrepresented regions could enhance its legitimacy and effectiveness.

Peacekeeping success is also contingent upon the geopolitical will and cooperation of member states. When consensus exists, the UN can deploy peacekeeping missions swiftly and effectively, as seen in Western Sahara and East Timor. However, when political interests clash, missions face stalling, insufficient funding, and inadequate staffing, often compromising their effectiveness. The infamous failure to prevent mass atrocities in Rwanda demonstrates the risks of delayed or insufficient international action. Therefore, reforming the Security Council’s veto system and expanding membership could improve decision-making agility (Tharoor, 2011).

Despite these structural challenges, the UN has demonstrated notable success in peacebuilding and conflict mitigation, particularly in cases where conflict severity is moderate, and international support is robust. The organization’s efforts are most effective when peace agreements are lengthy, comprehensive, and backed by a strong peacekeeping presence with a clear mandate. Doyle and Sambanis (2000) argue that peace enforcement and peacebuilding efforts are more successful in conflicts that are prolonged, with existing peace treaties, and when they include extensive peacekeeping mandates.

However, the UN faces limitations when dealing with intrastate conflicts rooted in ethnic, religious, or political divisions. Such conflicts tend to resist external mediation without regional or international pressure. Bercovitch and Simpson (2010) highlight that ethnic conflicts often involve non-state actors and deep-seated grievances, making peace processes complex and fragile. International intervention in such scenarios must be carefully calibrated, with emphasis on conflict prevention, ongoing negotiation, and addressing underlying socio-economic issues.

Conflict prevention remains a significant challenge for the UN. Although the organization has made strides in mediating disputes and deploying peacekeepers, preventing conflicts proactively is hindered by national sovereignty concerns, limited early warning mechanisms, and insufficient resources. Effective conflict prevention requires robust intelligence, preventative diplomacy, and regional cooperation, alongside structural reforms within the UN itself.

Beyond peacekeeping, the UN’s role in post-conflict reconstruction and development is crucial for lasting peace. Its efforts to support governance, economic recovery, and social integration help transform ceasefires into stable, functioning states. However, these endeavors are often hampered by persistent poverty, inadequate infrastructure, corruption, and external interventions that do not always align with local needs. For example, despite the substantial financial and logistical resources allocated to Sierra Leone, issues such as malnutrition, maternal mortality, and lack of access to clean water persist—highlighting the gaps between peacekeeping and sustainable development (UN Peacekeeping, 2020).

The persistent challenges faced by the UN in conflict zones reveal a need for strategic reform and improved operational frameworks. One critical aspect is ensuring that peacekeeping missions are designed with long-term development goals in mind rather than short-term stabilization. Additionally, incorporating local populations into peace processes enhances legitimacy and increases the likelihood of durable peace, aligning with the UN’s principles of consent and ownership (UN, 2020).

The international community must also reevaluate aid and development strategies. The 2010 initiative for food security, aimed at combating hunger through a $900 million program, underscores the importance of addressing underlying socio-economic vulnerabilities. Yet, critics have pointed out that external funding and aid often reflect donor priorities, sometimes at the expense of genuine local needs. Improving aid effectiveness involves transparency, community participation, and building local capacities, rather than mere resource transfer (Sasson, 2012).

In sum, the effectiveness of the United Nations in peacekeeping, conflict mitigation, and peacebuilding is mixed. While it has achieved notable successes in certain contexts, structural flaws, geopolitical interests, and complex intra-state conflicts limit its overall impact. Sustainable peace requires comprehensive reform—expanding legitimacy within the Security Council, strengthening regional cooperation, investing in conflict prevention, and integrating peacekeeping with sustainable development goals. Only through such reforms can the UN better fulfill its founding mandate of maintaining international peace and security in an increasingly complex world.

References

• Bercovitch, J., & Jackson, R. (2009). Conflict Resolution in the Twenty-First Century: Lessons for International Conflict. University of Michigan Press.
• Bercovitch, J., & Simpson, G. (2010). Sources of International Conflict and Cooperation: What Do We Know and What Do We Need to Know? Journal of Peace Research, 47(3), 321-334.
• Doyle, M. W., & Sambanis, N. (2000). International Peacebuilding: A Theoretical and Quantitative Analysis. American Political Science Review, 94(4), 779-801.
• Shashi Tharoor, (2011). The Elephant while Minding the Gap: The Future of the United Nations. Routledge.
• Sasson, L. (2012). The Food Security Challenge in Africa: Addressing the Root Causes. Food Policy, 37(2), 347-363.
• United Nations. (2020). Report of the Secretary-General on Peacekeeping Operations. United Nations Publishing.
• United Nations Peacekeeping. (2020). Annual Review of Peace Operations. United Nations.
• Week, A. D., Morey, S., & Boehmke, F. J. (2010). Third-Party Intervention in Civil Wars. Journal of Peace Research, 47(5), 573-585.
• https://www.un.org/en/
• https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/