Introduction to International Peacekeeping

What is Peacekeeping? 

Peacekeeping refers to international efforts—primarily led by the United Nations—to maintain or restore peace in areas affected by conflict. 

Instead, modern peacekeeping is a complex political, military, and humanitarian activity. 

What is the ISF and what are their goals

International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza. 

Key Tasks of the ISF: 

• Work with Israel, Egypt, and vetted Palestinian police 

• Secure border areas 

• Stabilise security in Gaza 

• Demilitarise the Gaza Strip 

• Destroy and prevent rebuilding of military/terror infrastructure 

• Protect civilians 

• Secure humanitarian corridors 

• Support police training 

• Decommission weapons from non-state armed groups

Why does ISF matter?

This example illustrates complex peacekeeping, which goes beyond monitoring ceasefires. It includes: 

• Stabilisation 

• Demilitarisation 

• Institution-building 

• Civilian protection 

• Humanitarian coordination 

This reflects the evolution from traditional peacekeeping to multidimensional missions. 

Core Principles of UN Peacekeeping?

1. Consent 

Peacekeeping operations require the consent of the main parties to the conflict. 
Without consent, the mission risks becoming an occupying or enforcement force. 

2. Impartiality 

Peacekeepers must not favour any side. 
However, impartiality does not mean neutrality in the face of violations (e.g., human rights abuses). 

3. Limited Use of Force 

Force may be used: 

• In self-defence 

• In defence of the mandate 

• To protect civilians (in modern missions) 

Chapter UN Peacekeeping operates under

Peacekeeping operates under: 

• Chapter 6 – Pacific Settlement of Disputes 

• Chapter 7 – Action with Respect to Threats to the Peace 

Modern missions often blur these categories, especially when authorised to use force to protect civilians. 

When has peacekeeping unvolved from

Peacekeeping has evolved significantly since the Cold War. 

What was traditional peacekeeping like?

Traditional Peacekeeping 

• Monitoring ceasefires 

• Buffer zones 

• Interposition forces 

• Limited mandate 

• Lightly armed troops 

Examples of traditional peacekeeping

• United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) 

• United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP)

What does Complex / Multidimensional Peacekeeping include?

Includes: 

• Civilian protection 

• DDR (Disarmament, Demobilisation, Reintegration) 

• Security sector reform 

• Rule of law development 

• Human rights monitoring 

• Local governance reform 

• Reconciliation processes 

• Election supervision 

examples of Complex / Multidimensional Peacekeeping operations

• United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) 

• United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) 

• United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) 

These missions operate in ongoing conflicts, not just post-war ceasefires. 

What Do Peacekeepers Actually Do?

A “day in the life” of a peacekeeper may include: 

Security Tasks 

• Patrols 

• Monitoring ceasefire violations 

• Protecting civilians 

• Guarding key infrastructure 

Political Tasks 

• Supporting elections 

• Monitoring political agreements 

• Liaising with local authorities 

Humanitarian Tasks 

• Securing humanitarian corridors 

• Protecting aid deliveries 

• Supporting refugee return 

Reform and Governance 

• Training police 

• Security sector reform (SSR) 

• Strengthening rule of law institutions 

• Supporting judicial systems 

What are the key Categories of Peacekeeping Tasks

• Traditional Peacekeeping 

• Humanitarian Assistance 

• Election Supervision / Democracy Promotion 

• Preventive Deployments 

• DDR (Disarmament, Demobilisation, Reintegration) 

• Pacification 

• Human Rights Protection 

• Security Sector Reform (SSR) 

• Rule of Law 

• Local Governance 

• Reconciliation 

Modern peacekeeping missions are multidimensional and political, not just military. 

What are some current long running peacekeeping operations

• United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) 

• The United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO) is the first-ever peacekeeping operation established by the United Nations, created on May 29, 1948. It was designed to supervise the truce in Palestine following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. 

• United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) 

• United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) 

What are some current complex peacekeeping operations

• United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) 

• United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) 

• United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) 

What is the difference between long running and complex peacekeeping operations

These missions illustrate different models:

• Observer missions

• Stabilisation missions

• Transitional administration

• Referendum support missions

What is UNMOGIP

The UN mission expanded to become the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan, and it has supervised the State of Jammu and Kashmir ever since 1949. Although they agreed on a “Line of Control” in 1972, India and Pakistan do not agree on UNMOGIP's mandate.

What is UNDOF

The United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) is a peacekeeping mission established on May 31, 1974, to maintain the ceasefire between Israel and Syria and supervise the disengagement of forces in the Golan Heights. 

Inspect and monitor to ensure that the limitation of armaments and etc are in place. However since oct 7 attack, Israel has taken more territory to allow for geographical advantage and also want to stop the land being a conduit for weapon between Iran and Hezbollah. 

INFICYP

The United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) is one of the longest-running active UN peacekeeping missions, established in March 1964 to prevent further fighting between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities.

MONUSCO

United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) is a UN peacekeeping mission established in 2010 to help stabilise the Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly in its conflict-affected eastern regions. Its main tasks are protecting civilians, supporting the Congolese government, and assisting with security reform, and it is notable for having a Force Intervention Brigade authorised to conduct offensive operations against armed groups. 

MINURSO

United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) is a United Nations peacekeeping mission established in 1991 to monitor the ceasefire between Morocco and the Polisario Front in Western Sahara and to organise a referendum on self-determination for the territory. While the ceasefire monitoring role continues, the referendum has never been held due to political disputes, making MINURSO one of the UN’s longest-running and most politically constrained missions.

MINUSCA

United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) is a United Nations peacekeeping mission established in 2014 to stabilise the Central African Republic after widespread sectarian violence between armed groups. Its mandate includes protecting civilians, supporting the peace process and political transition, assisting humanitarian operations, rebuilding state institutions, and helping prevent mass atrocities, including the risk of genocide, amid intercommunal violence.

UNMISS

United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is a United Nations peacekeeping mission established in 2011 to support peace and stability in South Sudan following its independence. Its core mandate includes protecting civilians—particularly from intercommunal violence and civil war—monitoring and reporting on human rights, facilitating humanitarian assistance, and supporting the implementation of the peace agreement to prevent a return to large-scale conflict.

UNISFA

United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) is a United Nations peacekeeping mission established in 2011 to monitor and maintain security in the disputed Abyei region between Sudan and South Sudan. Its mandate includes protecting civilians, facilitating humanitarian access, monitoring the demilitarised zone, and supporting dialogue between the two states to prevent renewed conflict in the area.

Who Pays for Peacekeeping? 

Peacekeeping is funded by: 

• Assessed contributions from UN member states 

• Based on a formula tied to economic capacity 

Permanent members of the Security Council pay a higher share. 

This creates: 

• Political bargaining 

• Budget constraints 

• Tension between mandate ambition and resources 

What are Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) 

Peacekeeping troops are not standing UN forces. 
They are provided voluntarily by member states. 

Important questions: 

• Who contributes troops? 

• Why do some countries contribute large numbers? 

• What are the political incentives? 

Common contributors often include Global South states, while major powers fund operations.