Ramya. J & Mahalingam. V, SRM School of Law
ABSTRACT
The United Nations (UN) has been a key player in global peacekeeping since its establishment, with a primary mandate to maintain international peace and security. This research paper critically assesses the UN's role in peacekeeping operations, focusing on three key areas: effectiveness, challenges, and evolving strategies. The scope of UN peacekeeping missions has expanded from traditional ceasefire monitoring to more complex multidimensional operations aimed at conflict resolution, post-conflict reconstruction, and long-term peacebuilding. However, despite notable successes, such as in Namibia, East Timor, and Liberia, the UN has faced significant challenges, including inadequate resources, political constraints, and the changing nature of modern conflicts involving non-state actors, terrorism, and asymmetric warfare. The paper examines how these challenges have influenced the effectiveness of UN peacekeeping missions, often limiting their ability to prevent violence or protect civilians. High- profile failures, such as the Rwandan Genocide and the Srebrenica Massacre, highlight the limitations of peacekeeping when mandates are unclear or when parties to the conflict do not fully consent. The paper explores how the UN has adapted its strategies in response to these challenges, including the shift toward more robust peace enforcement and the increasing involvement of regional organizations. The future of UN peacekeeping is considered, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach that incorporates preventive diplomacy, early intervention, and the strengthening of peacebuilding frameworks. Ultimately, the paper argues that while the UN remains a key factor in international peacekeeping, its success depends on continued reforms, greater political will from member states, and a more flexible, adaptive approach to the complexities of modern conflict.
Keywords: United Nations Peacekeeping, Effectiveness of Peacekeeping, Conflict Resolution, Peace Enforcment, Civilian Protection.
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