A NEW PATH IN PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS? LESSONS FROM THE “EXPERIMENT” IN MINUSMA

Abstract

Peacekeeping Operations are mechanisms adopted by the UN to maintain peace and security in conflict torn countries. The fact that these operations have undergone changes is due to three major factors the permanent members push towards countering terrorism, the experiences gained by them in countering insurgency in Afghanistan and by the fact that the troops are being contributed by the regional governments who happen to have their vested interests on the forefront. These changing dynamics necessitates an overhaul of the existing peacekeeping practices. For instance, the capability of the forces to tackle the non-state actors, both in terms of equipment’s and strategies. Thus, one sees a paradigm shift in these operations- from the use of traditional peacekeeping methods during the post conflict period to the use of robust use of force during the conflict period. This shift started from MINUSTAH. These conceptual changes have their impact on the effectiveness of the mandate and its sustainability.  

The Multidimensional Integrated Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) is deemed to be one of the deadliest missions. This mission is unique in the sense that it is deployed not only in the midst of an ongoing conflict but also in the midst of a counter terrorism operation led by the French (Operation Barkhane).