UN chief tells AFP: Don’t expect peacekeepers to stop wars

The world cannot rely on U.N. peacekeepers to stop wars, whether in Gaza or other conflict zones, due to the inherent limitations of the famous Blue Helmets, according to Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under Secretary-General for Peace Operations.

Lacroix stated that deploying a mission in the occupied Palestinian territories is “very, very, very hypothetical.” This follows the Arab League’s call for such a deployment. However, Lacroix highlighted that essential conditions, such as a ceasefire, agreement from conflicting parties to accept U.N. troops, and authorization from a divided U.N. Security Council, are absent.

France and Russia, members of the U.N. Security Council, are among those considering a role for U.N. peacekeepers in Gaza after Israel’s military operation against Hamas concludes. The proposal involves sending troops through the existing UNTSO operation, established in 1948, which currently maintains a small, unarmed presence in Lebanon. However, this idea remains speculative due to UNTSO’s lack of arms.

“Peacekeeping has its limits,” Lacroix explained, emphasizing that “imposing peace” is not within the U.N. troops’ mandate. U.N. peacekeeping missions, particularly in Africa, have faced criticism for not adequately protecting against armed extremists.

Lacroix acknowledged the need for adaptation within the U.N. peacekeeping forces, who will celebrate the International Day of Blue Helmets on May 29. He stressed that transforming U.N. troops into a war-fighting body is “not realistic or desirable,” as it equates to waging war, a stance opposed by many Security Council members.

He noted that sometimes peace requires “enforcement,” which can be achieved in partnership with other groups, without necessarily involving U.N. troops. For example, a Kenyan-led force, authorized by the Security Council but not under the U.N. flag, is set to restore order in Haiti after months of gang violence.

Lacroix pointed out that the Security Council authorized financial support for African Union peacekeeping operations in December 2022, illustrating the flexibility needed to respond to various situations. In complex environments, U.N. peacekeeping forces may have no choice but to retreat, as seen in October 2023, when U.N. soldiers evacuated their camp in northern Mali amid ongoing fighting. Similarly, in April 2023, U.N. peacekeepers withdrew from South Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo, though operations continue in North Kivu and Ituri provinces.