Protection of Civilians in UN Peacekeeping: Reform Requests and Initiatives of the Secretariat
Since 1999, ten UN peacekeeping operations have been mandated to protect civilians from the ‘imminent threat of physical violence.’ Over the next ten years, UN peacekeepers struggled to fulfill this mandate as belligerents in a variety of conflicts explicitly targeted civilians. In an effort to evaluate the achievements and failures in this regard, UN DPKO […]
Fulfilling the Promise of Protection: Charting a Course for Policymakers and Advocates
Over the last two years, the UN Security Council, UN General Assembly Special Committee on Peacekeeping (C-34), and UN Secretariat have taken unprecedented steps to reform policies and guidance for UN peacekeepers on the protection of civilians. Last fall, Stimson launched a joint initiative with Better World Campaign, Citizens for Global Solutions, and Refugees International […]
Elections and Violence in West Africa: Can ECOWAS Peacekeepers Help?
By Susan Megy – Nigeria’s April 16th election has been hailed the most credible since its return to civilian rule in 1999, yet rioting, displacement and heavy civilian casualties in the north have rapidly polarized the country. Post election violence in Nigeria and earlier, in Cote d’Ivoire, has overwhelmed an already turbulent and fragile region. […]
Considerations for a New Peacekeeping Operation in South Sudan
Following the secession of South Sudan on July 9, 2011, preventing violence against civilians in the new state and along its northern border will remain a priority – if not the primary challenge – for the international community. South Sudan is rife with conflict. The United Nations’ top aid official in the South reported that […]
Côte D’Ivoire: UN Peacekeeping, Impartiality And Protection Of Civilians
By Rebecca Friedrichs – Last week, forces loyal to President Ouattara seized Former President Laurent Gbagbo from his home, ending a stalemate that began after elections in November 2010. The recent events in Côte d’Ivoire have reignited the debate about impartiality, neutrality and protection of civilians. The United Nations Mission in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) has […]
Fundamentals of Protecting Civilians
By Alison Giffen – President Obama has used the protection of civilians as the primary rationale for initiating military action in Libya, with the support of the UN Security Council. Libya isn’t the only country in crisis where interventions have been undertaken with an explicit objective to protect civilians. Ten UN peacekeeping operations have been […]
Libya: Predation, Protection and Political Change
On March 17th, the UN Security Council authorized “all necessary measures…to protect civilians and civilian populated areas under threat of attack in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.” Its resolution says nothing of regime change in Libya and in his speech on March 28th the president ruled that out as a US military goal, while endorsing it […]
Expeditionary Diplomacy Could Save Lives in Sudan
On February 7th, Southern Sudan’s Referendum Commission officially announced that 99% of Southerners voted for secession. The international community has made extraordinary investments to prevent a reigniting of civil war between the north and south, but the question remains whether that investment can prevent additional violence against civilians. This is the second of two […]