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Title Strengthening legitimacy in UN Peacekeeping Operations
Full text http://hdl.handle.net/1885/15496
Date 2015
Author(s) Lum, Steph
Abstract The nature of peacekeeping continues to evolve since its origins in 1948. One consequence is that UN peacekeeping consistently confronts new challenges to its legitimacy, undermining its ability to fulfill missions. This report seeks to identify what these key challenges are, the effect these challenges have on legitimacy, and areas which require change in order for UN peacekeeping to be an effective force in the future. This discussion is particularly important now given the recent decision of the Secretary--General to appoint a High--level Independent Panel on Peace Operations, the first comprehensive review of peacekeeping since 2000. However such a discussion is always relevant given the necessity of the UN to constantly reflect upon and change its practices on the ground if it is to be successful and uphold its legitimacy in the eyes of those in host nations, regional organisations and the international community. The research for this report was conducted using content analysis, relying mostly upon primary reports and resolutions from actors directly involved in missions. This method was chosen to capture as many viewpoints as possible regarding the perceived threats and potential areas for change within peacekeeping. The research affirmed that numerous interrelated problems confront modern UN operations. For a more comprehensive understanding of the problems that affect legitimacy, the concept of 'legitimacy' itself was divided into source, procedural and substantive legitimacy. Three case studies of UN missions in South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Timor--Leste were then analysed to reveal the problems that certain threats caused to all types of legitimacy. It was found that unclear and unfulfilled mandates, personnel misconduct, as well as lack of consistent local integration and communication with various actors were all challenges to the maintenance of legitimacy. The report further suggests areas where change should be implemented in order to address these issues. It was found that there was a greater need for: 1.The UN Security Council and Secretariat to be more realistic and honest with Member States and host nations; 2.Improved communication amongst all actors; 3.The UN to accept more responsibility and improve its accountability; 4.Improved cultural sensitivity and respect towards local people; and 5.Greater empowerment of local populations. While it is acknowledged that already the UN has attempted to initiate reform in these areas, this report emphasises the importance of greater and more sincere change, as reforms to date have often been undermined by a lack of change elsewhere. Holistically this challenges the idea that the UN is serious in instituting change, and as long as they remain unaddressed these threats to peacekeeping mar the ability to maintain and strengthen the legitimacy of UN operations.
Subject(s) Timor-Leste; UN Peacekeeping
Type of publication Report
Rights Copyright the author.
Repository Canberra - Australian National University
Added to C-A: 2015-09-21;09:21:52