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Lessons from Past Experience
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UN DPKO: Lessons from recent experience
Information posted by the UN about "lessons learned" from past peacekeeping operations to help in the planning of future operations and the conduct of ongoing ones.
Multidisciplinary Peacekeeping: Lessons From Recent Experience (April 1999)
A detailed analysis on the challenges of peacekeeping and the lessons we can learn from past peacekeeping operations by the United Nations.
Reports
The Netherlands Institute for War Documentation’s report on the fall of Srebrenica concludes the “humanitarian motivation and political ambitions” drove the Dutch to “keep the peace where there was no peace.”
A report of the independent inquiry commissioned by Secretary General Kofi Annan.International Panel of Eminent Personalities to Investigate the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda and the Surrounding Events (July 7, 2000)
The Organization of African Unity's International Panel of Eminent Personalities (IPEP) that aims to investigate the 1994 genocide in Rwanda and the surrounding events in the Great Lakes region.Lessons Learned from United Nations Operation in Somalia (April 1992 - March 1995)
A detailed analysis on the UN Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM) by the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations.Training US Army Officers for Peace Operations: Lessons from Bosnia
Report released by the United States Institute of Peace in October 1999 analyzing the deficiencies and opportunities in peacekeeper training.
Articles Is Task-Sharing the Answer to UN Peacekeeping Problems? (July 31, 2008)
This essay argues that task-sharing could be a solution to UN peacekeeping missions’ limited financial and human resources. Using past missions in Haiti and Liberia as case studies, the essay claims that using regional organizations as partners in peacekeeping could lighten the UN’s financial burden and make missions more effective by using local knowledge and resources. However, the article warns that the UN must increase oversight and monitoring efforts to make sure these regional partners act legally and with legitimacy. (e-International Relations)Ten Years After Srebrenica Massacre UN Tries to Come to Terms with Failure (July 8, 2005)
The massacre of over 7,000 Muslims at Srebrenica in July 1995 “is widely considered a major fiasco in UN peacekeeping efforts.” Furthermore, argues Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the lack of analysis on the world body’s failure all but ensures similar mistakes in the future. Though it differentiates between the UN as an autonomous organization and as a collection of member states, this article nevertheless fails to caution against individual states taking too much authority over international interventions.When the UN Fails, We All Do (December 13, 2004)
The author alleges that nations turn to UN peacekeeping missions when they do not want to act, but want to keep up appearances. UN peacekeeping missions are only as good as the member states that form them. Citing the Rwanda failure, the author argues the UN should "have the courage to refuse the mission" if the mission amounts to little more than the pretense of international action. If the UN refuses to intervene in a crisis, "people can point the finger where they should, at countries near and far that are doing little about it." (Newsweek)Learning the Hard Way in Kosovo (December 9, 2004)
Peacekeeping failures in Kosovo can provide lessons for future operations such as those in Darfur, Sudan. Citing Kosovo's history, the author urges the international community to "act sooner and prepare better." According to the article, peacekeeping has become synonymous with nation-building. In Kosovo, soaring unemployment and widespread poverty enflame ethnic tensions. The author suggests that peacekeeping missions should focus not only on security, but also on economic development and clear legal ownership of resources. (YaleGlobal)Learning From East Timor (October 21, 2002)
As demonstrated in East Timor, nation-building is not an easy process. As the US increasingly takes on that task in the Balkans, Afghanistan and perhaps, Iraq, it must demonstrate deep commitment to making such experiments succeed.(Newsweek)Working Out How to Show Force Without Using It (April 22, 2002)
In an interview, Jean-Marie Guéhenno, UN Under Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations, stresses the importance of not mixing up peacekeeping with peace-enforcement.(Irish Times)The Dutch Were Not at Fault in Srebrenica - The World Was (April 18, 2002)
Although the Dutch government took responsibility and resigned for the fall of the UN “safe area,” the Guardian argues that the only fault of the Dutch was their naivety in accepting the idea of “interventionism on the cheap” in Bosnia.
'Deterrence by Presence' is No Deterrence at All ( April 17, 2002)
The Dutch report on Srebrenica sends a warning that weak and inefficient peacekeeping missions will lose against the “peace-breakers who us[e] force freely and criminally.” (Daily Telegraph)Guns Before Butter: Afghanistan (April 6, 2002)
Before turning down the possibility of extending the Intern Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, the US should remember its peacekeeping experience in Bosnia. Although Bosnia is far from perfect, the significant US troop contribution to the region has undeniably contributed to peace. (Economist)Rebuilding Nations . . . (April 6, 2002)
Richard Holbrooke, the former US Ambassador to the UN, argues that fighting for and reconstructing Afghanistan are both integral parts in the campaign against terrorism. (Washington Post)Peacekeeping No Longer Domain of Military Brass (March 12, 2002)
The “rigid barrier” that existed between UN peacekeepers and NGOs is dissolving as more realize that increased NGO-PKO cooperation leads to a “win-win situation” in peacekeeping and peace-building. (Inter Press Service)Understanding How Violent Mind Works (February 3, 2002)
Conventional genocide-prevention methods include diplomacy and military intervention, which are often mobilized in a “very late-stage” of a crisis. Yet learning from the Rwandan experience, strengthening the rule of law and democracy are the most effective safeguards against genocide.
(Associated Press)Both Savior and Victim: Black Hawk Down Creates a New and Dangerous Myth of American Nationhood(January 29, 2002)
Initially, the US entered Somalia in 1992 to do “God’s work” in a nation devastated by clan warfare and famine. Yet far from resolving the conflict, the US accidentally escalated aggression and transformed UN’s peacekeeping mission into a partisan war. (Guardian)French Insist Britain Must Share Blame For Srebrenica (November 30, 2001)
The French parliamentary inquiry into the fall of the UN “safe-area” in Bosnia harshly criticized the UN Security Council for "undertaking commitments they did not respect because they did not equip themselves with the means." (The Scotsman)
What Makes Humanitarian Military Interventions Effective? (October 31, 2001)
Taylor B. Seybolt of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) critically assesses the effectiveness of using military means for humanitarian ends. The success and failure of humanitarian interventions remain largely in the hands of the intervening countries, he argues.The UN and Nation-Building (October 14, 2001)
The rebuilding effort of Afghanistan will likely fall on UN’s shoulders. William Shawcross analyzes the UN’s past track record in nation-building missions, and foresees the difficult tasks ahead. (The Scotsman )Can the West Really Police the World? (October 3, 2001)
It’s a deal, says the UK Prime Minister. The west will provide aid, write off debt, practice free trade and train soldiers if the Africans are serious about democracy and human rights. But can his rhetoric match the reality?(Guardian)If IGAD Has Failed on Sudan, How About UN? (June 18, 2001)
This editorial questions the UN’s choice of peacekeeping operations. Although the UN is actively involved in the DRC, Sierra Leone, Angola, and Eritrea, it has virtually ignored the devastating civil war in Sudan. (All Africa)UN Peacekeeper Accused of Smuggling Elephant Tusks (February 11, 2001)
No immunity for ivory smugglers! Kenyan authorities arrested the head of the peacekeeping mission in Rwanda, after the UK-organization Save the Elephant discovered the smuggling network involving UN workers and diplomats. (Observer)Troop-Senders Want Say (January 22, 2001)
Invited to discuss their concerns with the Security Council, troop-contributing nations asked for more information, cooperation and influence in peacekeeping decision-making. But who knows if the conservative Council will ever address their concerns? (Washington Post)Revised Role in Humanitarian Tragedies (September 3, 2000)
UK Foreign Minister Robin Cook agrees with the recent Brahimi Report. He also calls for strong measures, including a "Framework for Intervention " for peacekeeping missions, addressing the balance of the Security Council and a training college for UN troops. (By Robin Cook and Menzies Campbell)Sierra Leone: UN Will Respond to Attacks (August 4, 2000)
The UN Security Council sends a warning to the rebels in Sierra Leone. The newly adopted resolution calls on the UN peacekeepers to respond “robustly” to any hostile actions or threat of force in Sierra Leone. (United Press International)Who Wants Peacekeeping? Put Up or Shut Up (August 3, 2000)
''If we don't want to do [UN peacekeeping] properly, should we do it at all?” asks the UN Secretary General. Planning for the worst-case scenarios, adding new resources, and a new focus are needed in UN peacekeeping or it will go down the “boneyard of history.” (Washington Post / International Herald Tribune)Africa Needs Well-Trained, Well-Equipped Peacekeepers To Meet Crises (August 3, 2000)
Kofi Annan addressed a crowd at the opening of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in Ghana, emphasizing Ghana’s great 40 year dedication to UN peacekeeping.(M2 Presswire)Annan Justifies UN's "Preemptive Strike" Against Sierra Leone Militia (July 25, 2000)
The UN Secretary General gets tough on the Sierra Leonean rebels as he warned that rebels plotting attacks on the UN peacekeepers would have to pay the price.( Agence France Presse)Traumatized Former Peacekeepers will be Offered Counseling in B.C. (July 7, 2000)
"We came in contact with absolute evil," one peacekeeper said of his experience in Croatia. The University of British Columbia is to offer counseling to Canadian peacekeepers that have suffered from trauma-induced stress in missions around the world. (Vancouver Sun )US Ambassador to UN Calls for Changes in Peacekeeping (June 14, 2000)
Amb. Holbrooke of the US urged the professionalization of UN peacekeeping by "borrowing" experienced military personnel to organize effective operations. Holbrooke also argued that all UN members should give more support to the peacekeeping operations. However this is unlikely to be well received considering the criticism against the US for its lack of support of the UN through lagging behind in payments. (New York Times)Annan: UN Force Learns from its Errors Peacekeeping Troops Rebuilding in Africa (June 2, 2000)
Despite many difficulties in UN peacekeeping operations in Africa, the UN Secretary General argued that the mission in Sierra Leone is now stronger after the initial setbacks. He also reiterated that the UN can only be as effective as its member states allow it to be. ( Atlanta Journal Constitution)Shame; Rationalizing Western Apathy on Rwanda (May/June, 2000)
Could the Western states have done something to stop the genocide in Rwanda? Des Forges revisits this agonizing question and challenges Alan J. Kuperman's argument ("Rwanda in Retrospect," Foreign Affairs, January/February 2000) that the world was unaware of the genocide in April 1994 until it was too late. (Foreign Affairs)Peacekeeping Efforts Require Qualified Troops Under UN (May 25, 2000)
For the peacekeeping operation in Sierra Leone, African leaders are considering whether to send their soldiers under the command of the UN or the independent force ECOMOG. Some argue that it is better to deploy troops under the UN command with appropriate equipment and military training. (United States Committee on Refugees)West Exasperated by a Failed Intervention (May 16, 2000)
As the crisis in Sierra Leone unfolds, some European members express disappointment toward the Clinton administration for standing in the sidelines, and the UN Security Council for getting involved in risky peacekeeping operations without appropriate means.( International Herald Tribune )Annan Sets Up Panel to Study UN's Peacekeeping Predicament (March 8, 2000)
A new panel is set up to look into how the UN may best handle difficult peacekeeping missions with the meagre resources at its disposal (New York Times).UN Failed Rwanda, Ignored Evidence of Genocide (December 16, 1999)
An Associated Press article about an independent report, commissioned by Secretary General Kofi Annan, that faults the UN and Security Council members for lack of political will. It says the UN ignored information that a genocide was planned, refused to act once the genocide had begun and then abandoned Rwandans in need of protection.UN 'Appeased' and Unwittingly Aided Genocide (November 15, 1999)
An article from TheWashington Post about a report unveiling the UN responsibility for the deaths of thousands of Bosnian Muslims in July 1995, when Bosnian Serbs took over the "safe area" of Srebrenica.Annan Apologizes for UN Failure to Stop Bosnian Massacre (October 12, 1999)
The failure to act on preventing the Srebenica killings lies deep on the conscience of the UN the Secretary General looks back regretfully and pledges a memorial. (UN Wire)In Angola, UN Peacekeeping Sounds 'Retreat' (March 20, 1999)
Latest withdrawal in Angola reflects dwindling hope and support for global intervention. The UN's peacekeeping process and the way the United States influence it. An analysis of the past and an outlook on the future.The Rwanda Genocide: "The Triumph of Evil" (January 1999)
Link to PBS interview with Igbal Riza, UN Chief of Staff. Riza responds to charges that high-level UN officals knew in advance of the possibility that mass killings would occur. Site includes analysis of the failed UN peacekeeping mission and how prior events in Somalia influenced the West's responce.Could 5,000 Peacekeepers Have Saved 500,000 Rwandans? (April 1997)
This report by the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy at Georgetown University concludes that early intervention could have prevented the full-scale disaster in Rwanda had member states been willing to seize the "window of opportunity."Humanitarian Intervention: the Case of Somalia
An annotated resource list from Worldview that emphasizes the problematic side of the UN operation in Somalia.
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