© MINUSCA: UN peacekeepers conduct patrols in Bouar

© MINUSCA: UN peacekeepers conduct patrols in Bouar, located in the western Central African Republic.

UN Peacekeeping Faces Increased Challenges from Complex Conflicts and Ceasefires As ceasefires become increasingly fragile and conflicts grow more unpredictable, UN peacekeeping operations must adapt rapidly in response to rising political tensions, misinformation, and ambiguity surrounding their mandates. During a briefing to ambassadors in the Security Council, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the head of UN peace operations, emphasized the necessity for transformation. "Ceasefire monitoring cannot solely rely on presence; it requires quick understanding and action based on ground realities," he stated. He noted that advancements in technology are enabling peacekeepers, often referred to as 'blue helmets,' to enhance their effectiveness by monitoring extensive and intricate areas in near-real time, thereby reducing the need for physical presence.

However, sustaining peace is critically dependent on a political process that benefits from unified support from Member States, particularly the Security Council. The Responsibility of Combatants in Ceasefires Lacroix remarked, "While peacekeeping plays a vital role in ceasefire monitoring, the ultimate success of any ceasefire rests entirely with the involved parties." Lieutenant General Aroldo Lázaro Sáenz, Commander of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), also emphasized the essential nature of political frameworks. Established in 1978, UNIFIL's mandate was most recently outlined in resolution 1701 in 2006, which called for a complete halt to hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel after a 34-day war in Lebanon. This resolution reinforced UNIFIL's responsibilities to monitor ceasefires, support the deployment of Lebanese Armed Forces in the region, and facilitate humanitarian access. Nevertheless, following the attacks on October 7, 2023, by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups in southern Israel, the conflict between Israeli security forces and Hezbollah has complicated UNIFIL's operational situation until the cessation of hostilities agreed upon in November 2024. "Since this cessation and in the absence of a permanent ceasefire, one of the major challenges has been the differing interpretations of their obligations under resolution 1701 and the cessation of hostilities by the parties involved," Lt. Gen. Lázaro noted. Addressing Misinformation Another pressing challenge is the rise of misinformation, which threatens the credibility of UN peacekeepers and breeds local mistrust. This has prompted UNIFIL to modify its strategies to preserve its integrity, demonstrate neutrality, and enhance public trust. According to Lt. Gen. Lázaro, effective communication, fact-checking, and prompt responses are crucial for maintaining the mission's impartiality. UNIFIL has adopted a structured communication strategy to counter misinformation, ensuring that all communications are based on facts, clear, and consistent across peacekeeping units. "It is vital for government representatives to publicly clarify UNIFIL's role and mandate to help the population avoid misconceptions," he added. Similar to UNIFIL, the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) is also addressing the growing threat of disinformation, which armed groups exploit to destabilize communities and hinder peacekeeping efforts. Exploiting Technology by Armed Groups Lt. Gen. Ulisses De Mesquita Gomes, MONUSCO's Force Commander, underscored the evolving threats that peacekeepers encounter, particularly as armed groups employ modern technologies to avoid detection and propagate their agendas. "While surveillance technologies are vital to peacekeeping, they have also been misused by armed groups, militias, and criminal organizations," Lt. Gen. Gomes stated. "In recent months, we have witnessed armed factions utilizing readily available drones for reconnaissance and encrypted messaging apps for coordination and dissemination of propaganda, bypassing traditional monitoring methods." He cautioned that these tactics, coupled with the propensity of armed groups to operate outside conventional state control, render them unpredictable and challenging to counter. To effectively address these emerging threats, MONUSCO has modified its strategies to rapidly incorporate new capabilities—sourced from the private sector and contributing nations—within a matter of weeks or months, rather than years.
United Nations peacekeeping
Edited: Bosman