UPSC Editorial Analysis: The Role and Limitations of the United Nations (UN) in Conflict Resolution and Peacekeeping
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: The Hindu
*General Studies-2; Topic: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.*
Introduction
• The United Nations (UN), through its Charter, is committed to both peaceful conflict resolution and the use of force when necessary to maintain international peace and security.
• Despite these robust provisions, the UN has often been criticized for its failures, particularly in conflicts like Rwanda and Bosnia.
• As current global crises in Ukraine and West Asia unfold, the UN’s inability to act decisively underscores the need for reforms in its Security Council and peacekeeping operations.
UN Charter and Conflict Resolution
• Chapter VI of the UN Charter emphasizes the peaceful settlement of disputes, aiming to resolve conflicts through diplomacy, mediation, and negotiations.
• Chapter VII provides for the use of armed force with Security Council authorization in cases of aggression or breaches of peace that threaten international security. This chapter also mandates member-states to contribute military or police forces to establish peace.
• Chapter VIII expands on this by encouraging regional arrangements for peace enforcement, with authorization from the Security Council.
Successes of UN Peacekeeping
• Over seven decades, the UN has had several successful peacekeeping missions. Notable examples include: Cambodia, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Angola, Timor Leste, Liberia, and Kosovo. These missions established peace, facilitated reconstruction, and helped stabilize regions following conflicts.
• Cambodia, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Angola, Timor Leste, Liberia, and Kosovo.
• These missions established peace, facilitated reconstruction, and helped stabilize regions following conflicts.
• The success in these missions demonstrates the UN’s potential to act as a peacekeeping body under favorable conditions with international support.
Failures of the UN as a Bystander
• Despite the strong legal framework in its Charter, the UN has been accused of being a bystander in critical situations: Rwanda (1994) and Bosnia (1995): The UN was accused of failing to protect civilians and vulnerable populations, particularly during genocides, where it was either unwilling or unable to intervene. Rwanda Genocide: Nearly one million Tutsi civilians were killed while the UN’s role was severely limited. The international community failed to intervene effectively, despite the UN’s mandate.
• Rwanda (1994) and Bosnia (1995): The UN was accused of failing to protect civilians and vulnerable populations, particularly during genocides, where it was either unwilling or unable to intervene.
• Rwanda Genocide: Nearly one million Tutsi civilians were killed while the UN’s role was severely limited. The international community failed to intervene effectively, despite the UN’s mandate.
• These failures highlight the gap between the UN’s legal authority and its operational effectiveness, especially in preventing mass atrocities and genocides.
Current Conflicts and UN’s Bystander Status
• West Asia and Ukraine: In recent conflicts, including the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Gaza conflict, the UN has again failed to take decisive action. Despite having over 100,000 peacekeepers available, the UN has not used its forces to prevent civilian casualties or destruction in these conflict zones. The UN’s military and police forces could have been redeployed to act between the warring sides, as they were in previous missions like Cyprus or Timor Leste.
• Despite having over 100,000 peacekeepers available, the UN has not used its forces to prevent civilian casualties or destruction in these conflict zones.
• The UN’s military and police forces could have been redeployed to act between the warring sides, as they were in previous missions like Cyprus or Timor Leste.
Missed Opportunities for Peace Enforcement
• Peacekeeping forces are committed by member-states not only to maintain peace but also to enforce it when necessary.
• Historical examples like Kosovo and Timor Leste show that deploying relatively small UN forces (around 6,000-9,000 personnel) in critical areas can stabilize regions, restore law and order, and protect civilians.
• Similar deployments in Ukraine or Israel-Gaza could have minimized the current humanitarian crises, but the UN failed to act decisively.
Challenges with the UN Security Council
• Veto Power: The P5 (Permanent Five members) of the UN Security Council—U.S., U.K., France, Russia, and China—hold veto power, which often prevents the UN from taking decisive action. In conflicts like Ukraine and West Asia, vetoes from Russia and the U.S. have stymied meaningful intervention. The veto system has, at times have prevented urgent action even in the face of human rights violations.
• In conflicts like Ukraine and West Asia, vetoes from Russia and the U.S. have stymied meaningful intervention.
• The veto system has, at times have prevented urgent action even in the face of human rights violations.
Need for Security Council Reform
• Expansion of the P5 to P7: Including India and South Africa as permanent members would give the Global South more representation in peacekeeping decisions.
• Reforming the Veto System: A more equitable voting system where contentious issues are resolved through a division of votes rather than allowing one country to block action could make the Security Council more effective. This reform could allow for interventions in cases like Israel-Gaza or Ukraine without being blocked by political interests. Decisions regarding military intervention and peacekeeping could then be made based on majority support, enabling the UN to act swiftly in crises.
• This reform could allow for interventions in cases like Israel-Gaza or Ukraine without being blocked by political interests.
• Decisions regarding military intervention and peacekeeping could then be made based on majority support, enabling the UN to act swiftly in crises.
Future of UN Peacekeeping Operations
• If the UN cannot enforce peace effectively, it risks losing its legitimacy as a global peacekeeping body.
• There is a pressing need for UN peacekeepers to be deployed impartially and with decisive authority to protect civilians and enforce peace, similar to missions in Kosovo and Timor Leste.
• Reforms to the Security Council and operational use of peacekeeping forces are essential to avoid future failures.
• If these reforms are not enacted, the UN risks becoming an ineffective international forum rather than a force for maintaining global peace.
Conclusion
• The institutional limitations, particularly in the Security Council, have often rendered the UN ineffective in preventing and resolving conflicts.
• To overcome its bystander status, the UN needs decisive reforms, including Security Council expansion, veto reform, and more proactive use of peacekeeping forces.
Practice Question:
“Despite having robust mechanisms for peaceful dispute settlement and armed intervention, the United Nations has often been accused of being a ‘bystander’ in critical conflicts.” Discuss with examples how the UN has succeeded and failed in its peacekeeping missions. (250 words)