Assessing the Performance of United Nations Peacekeeping in Africa: the Case of UN Mission in South Sudan (Unmiss)

Abstract

This study largely analyses United Nations peacekeeping missions in Africa with UNMISS as a case study. It examined the opportunities and challenges facing UN operations in Africa, discussed the prospects for success, and finally concluded with a raft of recommendations to make UN peacekeeping in the region more effective. The study also set out two hypotheses; firstly, that peacekeeping missions in Africa face numerous challenges and prospects for success, and secondly, that the UN Peacekeeping in South Sudan, as are other missions elsewhere in Africa, produce mixed results. The study which relied heavily on secondary sources of data and the use of a thematic approach to present the information was set within the conceptual framework for the attainment of sustainable outcomes in peacekeeping missions and grounded on the critical theory by Max Horkheimer. The study established that Africa as a continent is engulfed in conflicts that necessitate periodic UN interventions. However, despite the concentration of UN missions in Africa, not much has been achieved in terms of bringing long-lasting peace as conflict continues around the continent. In the mission in South Sudan, the study found out that since its inception in 2011, UNMISS has faced criticism regarding its response to attacks on civilians. UNMISS, according to the findings of the study, has suffered fundamental flaws and challenges that have affected its effectiveness. Its challenges stem from a combination of internal UN-related factors as well as external factors arising particularly from the operational environment and from those involved in the conflict in South Sudan. The study further found that in spite of the challenges facing UNMISS, the study established that recent events present many opportunities and prospects for successful UNMISS operations in South Sudan. Lastly, the study has given several recommendations to address the challenges facing UNMISS and other UN missions in similar cases that include; the need for UNMISS to receive increased backing from the UNSC’s permanent members and the need for increased cooperation between the local South Sudanese population and the peacekeepers. Another recommendation relates to the governments of neighbouring countries increasing their troop, diplomatic, and resource assistance to the countries affected by conflict in the region to reduce the politics and self-interests of European countries that often hinder effective peacekeeping in Africa.