UN Peacekeeping Missions: Challenges Faced by Blue Helmets in Africa

Would it be possible to have peace without the Blue Helmets?

“Blue Helmets” refers to the United Nations peacekeepers who wear distinctive blue helmets or berets. These peacekeepers are deployed to conflict zones worldwide to help maintain peace and security, protect civilians, and support the implementation of peace agreements.

Three core principles guide UN peacekeeping missions:

1. Consent of the parties involved in the conflict.

2. Impartiality.

3. Non-use of force except in self-defense and defense of the mandate.

However, like many organizations, the Blue Helmets encounter various challenges, and Africa is a critical region for their missions.

Teresa Nogueira Pinto is an expert on African affairs. She has a master’s degree in international relations from the Institute of Political Studies of the Portuguese Catholic University and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the Catholic University of Lisbon, Portugal.

In this new episode of The Geopolitical Puzzle, Teresa shares the role, challenges, failures, and geopolitical impact of United Nations peacekeeping missions in African countries.

She authored the article Peacekeeping without the UN where she highlighted:

• UN peacekeeping missions have mostly failed to stabilize Africa

• Many African governments are considering alternative security options

• Private companies and regional forces will likely gain prominence

Juan-Carlos Giraldo