Video

Play Video

What is the impact of the UN missions in Mali and South Sudan?

On the occasion of the International Day of Peacekeeping (29 May 2019), NUPI hosted a seminar focusing on the effectiveness of the UN missions in Mali and South Sudan.

Peacekeeping is one of the most prominent tools available to the United Nations for the maintenance of international peace and security. Former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon referred to peacekeeping as the flagship enterprise of the UN.

However, a mixed record of successes and failures, an unprecedented high number of fatalities, and new threats like violent extremism have raised questions as to whether UN peacekeeping is still fit for purpose. The UN and other international organizations conducting peace operations, including the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU), are therefore under increasing pressure to justify the effectiveness and impact of their engagement.

At the seminar, we turned our attention to the effectiveness of the UN missions in Mali (MINUSMA) and South Sudan (UNMISS). Researchers from the Effectiveness of Peace Operations (EPON) research network presented findings from their research into these two operations. Each presentation was followed by a panel consisting of representatives from the UN missions and local civil society organisations.