[Answered] Analyze the effectiveness of UN peacekeeping operations in conflict zones like Rwanda and Ukraine. In the light of recent failures, critically evaluate the need for reforms in the UN Security Council to enhance the efficacy of global peacekeeping missions.

The United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operations have historically played a significant role in stabilizing conflict zones, promoting peace, and supporting post-conflict reconstruction.

Effectiveness of UN Peacekeeping Operations

• Rwanda: In 1994, Rwanda witnessed one of the worst genocides in history, with an estimated 800,000 people killed within 100 days. The UN Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR), was tasked with monitoring the Arusha Accords. The limitations in UNAMIR’s mandate and the lack of international political will were major factors contributing to the mission’s failure. Bureaucratic delays in the UNSC and the inability to respond rapidly exacerbated the crisis.
• Ukraine: Since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 and the subsequent conflict in Eastern Ukraine, the UNSC has been largely ineffective in addressing the crisis. The UNSC’s structure, particularly the veto power of the permanent members (P5), creates a deadlock in situations involving the direct interests of one of the P5. Peacekeeping in such high-stakes geopolitical conflicts is nearly impossible under the current UNSC framework.

Need for Reforms in the UNSC

• Reforming the Veto Power: A potential reform could involve limiting the use of the veto in cases of mass atrocities, war crimes, or genocide, as proposed by initiatives like the French-Mexican veto restraint initiative.
• Expansion and Representation: The UNSC’s current structure reflects the geopolitical realities of 1945, not today’s multipolar world. Expanding the UNSC to include more permanent and non-permanent members, particularly from Africa, Asia, and Latin America, would make it more representative and democratic.
• Strengthening Peacekeeping Mandates: Peacekeeping mandates need to be more robust, moving from passive monitoring to proactive peace enforcement. “Chapter VII” mandates, which allow the use of force to maintain or restore peace, should be more widely considered in situations where civilian populations are at risk of mass violence.
• Enhancing Accountability: Establishing independent accountability mechanisms to investigate allegations of misconduct by peacekeepers would restore trust and legitimacy. This should include the ability to prosecute offenders within international legal frameworks.

Conclusion

UN peacekeeping missions have had both successes and significant failures, particularly in conflict zones like Rwanda and Ukraine. Only through these changes can the UN become a more effective guarantor of global peace and security, better equipped to address the complex conflicts of the 21st century.