Amid New Risks Facing Blue Helmets, Delegates Call for Retooling Missions as Fourth Committee Concludes Annual Peacekeeping Operations Review
Speakers Underline Need to Preserve Traditional Principles, Prepare for Unpredictable Challenges, Use Innovative Drone Technology
General agreement on the timeliness of the Secretary-General’s proposed high-level review of peacekeeping operations emerged in the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) today, as speakers, concluding their annual comprehensive review of the subject, stressed a need to preserve traditional guiding principles while retooling missions to address new challenges.
The humanitarian component emerged as a source of division, as a representative of the Russian Federation insisted that the protection and assistance of civilians should be left for States and specialized humanitarian agencies to address.
Several speakers highlighted a range of risks peacekeepers faced. A delegate of the United States said operations had suffered from poor planning, slow deployment, weak leadership, competing chains of command and uneven commitments to implement mandates, especially when it came to the protection of civilians. Several speakers agreed, also mentioning looming threats of ambushes and the rampant use of improvised explosive devices.
Broadly, the United Nations was urged to prepare for unpredictable challenges, with a representative of Algeria emphasizing that operations were often authorized in the absence of clearly identifiable parties to a conflict where peacekeepers might face asymmetric and non-traditional threats.
The representative of Cambodia said his country was looking forward to the Secretary-General’s comprehensive review to be held in active consultation with troop- and police-contributing countries. That exercise should be undertaken in conjunction with those being conducted by the General Assembly and Security Council on peacebuilding, a delegate from South Africa said.
Several speakers, deploring growing attacks against peacekeepers and other personnel, urged Member States to accord the matter utmost priority. Peacekeepers must be alert, proactive and properly equipped to adapt to their surroundings, a representative of Jamaica said, urging the Department of Peacekeeping Operations to scale up capacity-building efforts, employ early warning mechanisms and utilize technological innovations.
Echoing views expressed over the previous three days of discussions, some speakers stressed a need to establish mandates that were clear and achievable and to address practical and legal ramifications flowing from the use of new technologies, such as drones. A number of delegates also emphasized a need for timely reimbursements to troop-contributing countries and for promoting the role of women in all dimensions of peacekeeping.
Also delivering statements today were representatives of the Philippines, Nepal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Tunisia, Mongolia, Cameroon, Jordan, Ecuador, Serbia, Fiji, El Salvador, Uganda and Ethiopia. A representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross also spoke.
The Committee will meet at 3 p.m. Monday, 3 November, to begin its comprehensive review of special political missions.
Background
The Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) met this morning to conclude its comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations in all its aspects. For background information, see Press Release GA/SPD/569 of 30 October.
LIBRAN CABACTULAN (Philippines) said that in some missions unexpected elements, such as anti-government armed groups and pandemics, threatened to undermine their mandates. The mandates of peacekeeping operations must be responsive to current conditions. His country was encouraged by the substantive report following the Special Committee on Peacekeeping (“C-34”) review of the United Nations operations. Following briefings by the Under-Secretary-General for the Department Peacekeeping Operations and the Under-Secretary-General for Field Support, he added that no effort should be spared to prevent conflict. In addition, capacity-building efforts were key activities that must be sustained, peacekeepers must receive adequate resources, and a dialogue between troop- and police-contributing countries must be put in place. Further, the Security Council and the Secretariat must be coordinated and the safety and security of peacekeepers must be strengthened. He welcomed the formation of a high-level panel to review both peacekeeping and political missions to improve their adaptability. He pointed out that pandemics and diseases were emerging threats and that sustained efforts must be made to address them.
DAVID PRESSMAN (United States), paying tribute to the accomplishments and heroism of peacekeepers, said that United Nations operations must become more effective and efficient, with tools and capabilities that kept pace with greater demands. Operations had suffered from poor planning, slow deployment, weak leadership, competing chains of command and uneven commitments to implement mandates, especially when it came to the protection of civilian. He agreed on the need for a clear-eyed look at the gap between ambition and delivery through a review. That assessment must be comprehensive and frank about institutional obstacles and gaps in resources and political will. The review should identify ways to make the best use of political, military, civilian and police personnel, who, in turn should be the best and brightest for the task and must be deployed much quicker with the right resources. Finally, it was critical that missions with a mandate to protect civilians not fail to use force when civilians were under attack. “We have to get this right,” he said.
SEWA LAMSAL ADHIKARI (Nepal) said more than 100,000 Nepalese peacekeepers had served in United Nations missions. Such work was a shared responsibility among the General Assembly, Security Council, troop and police contributors, regional organizations, the host country and the Secretariat. Use-of-force mandates should not become a trend, as that could erode legitimacy and risk lives. Peacekeeping reform should be dynamic, with the gains from the Global Field Support Strategy mainstreamed into the Department of Field Support before 30 June 2015. Noting that civilian protection was at the core of such mandates, she said that goal was undermined by the lack of accurate information and troops with all-weather mobility and equipment. As such, operational and logistical needs of the field must be met in advance, with critical air and high-tech assets better provisioned in the form of standby commitments. Nepal planned to deploy more women in peacekeeping missions as a matter of policy.
ABDULRAHMAN YAAQOB Y.A. AL-HAMADI (Qatar) stressed that peacekeeping operations should abide by the purpose and principles of the United Nations Charter based on multilateralism. The missions should adhere to established guidelines, including respect for national sovereignty and non-interference, and be based on consultations with host countries. They should not be a substitute for managing the root causes of conflict, but serve as a basis to find durable solutions. Lack of resources hindered mandate fulfilment and imperilled the safety and security of personnel, and the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations should be maintained as the principal forum on all issues. Given the majority of peacekeepers came from developing countries, they should be consulted regularly at all stages.
TAEDONG KIM (Republic of Korea) said recent deliberate attacks on peacekeepers in Darfur and in the Central African Republic indicated that the environment in which they operated was becoming more dangerous and hostile. Welcoming the introduction of modern technologies to some operations, he stressed that applying those resources to other missions could enhance intelligence capacities as well as the security of peacekeepers. Underscoring the threats peacekeepers faced, including car-bombing, rockets, mortars and kidnapping, he called for new standards on equipment and armaments and a new guidance on self-defence and security procedures. “Swift response by regional players is critical for the early stabilization of conflict,” he said, applauding the interregional partnership in peacekeeping activities between the African Union and the European Union.
PETR ILIICHEV (Russian Federation), describing peacekeeping as one of the important tools in the maintenance of international peace and security, said Blue Helmets were asked to serve in ambiguous conditions of internal crises. Such problems as transnational weapons transfers, terrorism and crime posed additional non-traditional risks to them. It was of critical importance to maintain guidelines of United Nations Charter and basic principles of peacekeeping, including consent of host country and non-use of force. The use of all necessary resources in Mali and targeted offensive operations in the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) identified legal, technical and logistical issues, he said, adding that it was too early for a universal application of that approach. Decisions on strengthening mandates could be taken by the Security Council based on the specific case. States bore the responsibility of protecting civilian populations and humanitarian assistance. The use of advanced technology, such as drones, required further legal, political and budgetary attention, he said, expressing hope that reports by the Secretary-General would address those and related issues. Ensuring the security of personnel should be the absolute priority for the international community. Effective cooperation among regional and subregional organizations had added value for United Nations peacekeeping, he said.
RIADH BEN SLIMAN (Tunisia) spoke of a deterioration in the security situation of peacekeeping operations, as was evidenced by the increasing number of casualties among United Nations peacekeepers. There was a need for constructive dialogue with troop-contributing countries with the view of developing a balanced approach regarding the evolution of peacekeeping missions, including their new aspects and complexities, which were different from traditional peacekeeping operations. Inviting troop-contributing countries to participate in decision-making and policy formulation, he called on the Security Council to draw from the experience that those counties had acquired. Added needs were an effective field support coordination, as well as adequate funding to peacekeeping.
GANKHUURAI BATTUNGALAG (Mongolia) said her country was committed to enhancing its participation in peacekeeping missions. The heightened level of challenges and new types of threats faced by peacekeepers required new approaches and strategies; hence, she welcomed the review of United Nations Peacekeeping Operations. Troop- and police-contributing countries should be involved in decision-making processes. Further, there was a need to strengthen trilateral consultations so as to increase a common understanding of policy matters, as well as address the gap between mandate and its implementation on the ground. Given a worsening security situation faced by many field missions, the safety and security of personnel should be the highest priority. Her country condemned attacks on peacekeepers and shared the view that all necessary steps must be taken to ensure their protection. From the spread of Ebola to attacks by extremist groups, peacekeepers risked their lives in the name of peace. The United Nations should do its utmost to provide medical help and guidance to protect personnel in the field. She welcomed the new reimbursement rates for troop-contributing countries, and added that although it was a progress it was far from being adequate.
MAMOUDOU MANA (Cameroon) said peacekeeping had become multidimensional and international security questions today required a better understanding of peace indicators. Missions had become increasingly involved in organizing elections, promoting human rights, assisting refugees, and handling other humanitarian tasks. While welcoming reforms taken by the Security Council, Secretary-General and General Assembly, he stressed that those processes must create a partnership between all peacekeeping actors. The difficulties in creating consensus could be seen in such matters like the discussions on troop reimbursement rates. Cameroon had provided staff for several peacekeeping operations, and had developed the International School of Security forces. That school provided educational courses on peacekeeping support for police and military forces from African countries. On establishing sustainable peace, there was a need for strengthening capacity-building in the areas of crisis management techniques, cause of conflicts, and understanding of the United Nations and its principles. Those would help the success of the mission on the ground. Finally, the efforts of African States in terms of peacekeeping should be properly acknowledged, and the financial needs of troop-contributing countries taken into consideration.
SHORNA-KAY MARIE RICHARDS (Jamaica) said her country had long regarded peacekeeping as a key component of the United Nations effort to achieve international peace and security and had contributed to those efforts. The tremendous strides made by Haiti in strengthening the national police, stemming violence, housing the displaced and pursuing its national development agenda were admirable. However, underlying fragilities existed and the international community must remain engaged with the Government and people there to consolidate recent progress. Peacekeeping must be buttressed by peacebuilding if countries were to avoid a relapse into conflict. South-South cooperation and triangular partnerships were crucial for peacebuilding, as was the active participation of women in all efforts to promote peace and security. Peacekeepers must be alert, proactive and properly equipped to adapt to their surroundings, she said, urging the Department of Peacekeeping Operations to scale up capacity-building efforts, employ early warning mechanisms and utilization of technological innovation.
SONIA ISHAQ AHMAD SUGHAYAR (Jordan) said that peacekeeping operations were one of the most important tools in peace resolution and peace building. As such, those operations should be considered a priority as they played a significant vital role in conflict resolution. Given the increasing need for new peacekeeping forces, mandates needed to be clear and focus given to enforcing the rule of law and protecting of civilian. Peacebuilding should be done in consultation with the host country, and peacekeeping troops must receive the necessary support to protect themselves against epidemics and other threats. Her country supported the participation of women in peacekeeping operations, as well as their advancement in their countries and participation in political life. On the peacekeeping budget, she said that it was too large and required a comprehensive review to see how those allocations were being spent. Concluding, she noted that Jordan was a troop-contributing country with more than 2,300 personnel in nine peacekeeping missions.
XAVIER LASSO MENDOZA (Ecuador) said the increasing complexity of mandates and multidimensional challenges on the field required the broadest cooperation among stakeholders in order to ensure the success of the given operation. The report of the Special Committee underlined the value of such cooperation and its recommendations needed to be implemented in a consensual spirt on all aspects of peacekeeping. Mandates needed to be clearly set out in order for full fulfilment of objectives and avoiding veering into extraneous issues. As such, the guiding principles must be adhered to and force should be used on the basis of proportionality. The use of new technologies raised new practical and legal matters that needed to be addressed in consultation with all parties. The United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) consolidation plan should be based on information on the ground and that country’s capacities.
RY TUY (Cambodia) said that the Department of Peacekeeping Operations had overcome many challenges and strove to manage complex operations. In many missions, the lives of peacekeepers were at risk, making them victims of insufficient logistical support, ambushes and threats of improvised explosive devices. Peacekeeping mandates and political support were key elements to enable the United Nations to act effectively in conflict situations. His country was looking forward to the comprehensive review to examine peacekeeping operations with the cooperation of troop and police contributors. The role of women in peacekeeping operations was important and more emphasis should be given to gender equality, he added. Cambodia strongly supported the zero tolerance policy and welcomed the determination to provide assistance and financial support to victims of sexual abuse by United Nations staff. Finally, he thanked the international community for the support his country had received from the United Nations, helping Cambodia to establish peace and gain political stability.
RADIŠA GRUJIĆ (Serbia) said that, in view of increasing complexities and the changing nature of conflicts, missions needed to be properly equipped and structured. Successful peacekeeping was a shared responsibility and all stakeholders had important roles to play. Sharing concern over increasing attacks on peacekeepers, he said their safety and security must be a matter of utmost priority. The participation of women in all aspects of peace was vital as was the employment of new technologies. The Special Committee should continue to render strategic guidance based on consensus and within timelines set for its yearly activities. Detailing Serbia’s contribution to peacekeeping operations, he said his country belonged to a region that went through very challenging times and therefore approached the process with special responsibility.
GENE BAI (Fiji) said that peacekeeping was envisioned as a way to stem wars and conflict. As conflicts continued to ravage populations and to jeopardize the stability of countries, peacekeeping remained as vital as ever to help countries settle disputes without violence. For that purpose, clear and achievable mandates were required, based on objective assessments, political will, and adequate resources. He stressed the importance of the full participation of troop contributing countries in policy formulation and decision making. Appropriate measures should be taken to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers and missions should be well-equipped and supported. He called on the Department of Peacekeeping Operations to initiate a dialogue with Member States toward those ends.
MLUNGISI CEDRICK MBALATI (South Africa) stressed the importance of the safety and security of United Nations peacekeepers. Peacekeeping was not a solution to a political situation; hence some missions had continued endlessly, he said, citing MONUSCO as a case in point. The adoption of Security Council resolution 2098 (2013) authorizing the use of force in the protection of civilians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was a significant milestone, he said, adding that the Government there had begun to restore State authority in areas previously occupied by armed groups. For too long, the international community talked of the advantages of regional and subregional organizations in the maintenance of international peace and security but had not leveraged on such advantages. The Secretary-General’s review of peace operations was therefore timely and should be undertaken in synergy with those being conducted by the General Assembly and Security Council on peacebuilding. Troop reimbursement should be processed without delay, and there was a need for increased participation of women in peacekeeping missions.
CARLOS ENRIQUE GARCÍA GONZÁLEZ (El Salvador) said that his country had benefited from peacekeeping operations when transitioning from war to peace. Peacekeeping operations needed to receive suitable financial support and operate under clear mandates with a defined exit strategy, with a clear date for the start of a transition and departure of troops. Peacekeeping operations were not the end objective but a temporary measure to help the host country to develop a sustainable peace strategy. Any new peacekeeping operation or extension should respect the principle of the United Nations Charter, he added. Regarding sexual abuse against women by United Nations staff, he said that it was important to carry out investigations and to make sure that those abuses were not repeated. His country supported the use of new technologies, such as drones. However, they needed to be regulated and should not infringe the principles of the Charter. He supported the call from other delegates to strengthen cooperation between troop-contributing countries and the Secretariat, with more robust involvement in their participation in the peacekeeping operation process and the reimbursement of rates. For its part, he reiterated El Salvador’s commitment to offer the best qualified personnel and to contribute to peacekeeping operations.
RICHARD NDUHUURA (Uganda) said the Secretary-General’s initiative for a comprehensive review of peacekeeping operations provided an opportunity to look at the related areas of peace enforcement and building. As most United Nations peacekeeping operations were in Africa, Uganda had been involved in one way or another and drew lessons. There needed to be a holistic approach, and peacekeeping itself should initially facilitate humanitarian assistance. Peacekeeping should not be an end in itself or just merely to facilitate the distribution of relief items. Once security had been established and the process set on course, economic revival and reconstruction was possible. It was important that the mandates of missions were reviewed, taking into consideration the nature of the conflict. The end result of the review should include robust mandates not as an exception but as the need may be. Cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations and a monitoring and evaluation unit should be established within the Department of Peacekeeping Operations to determine their effectiveness. Peacekeeping should not be used as a cover for undermining the territorial integrity and sovereignty of a country.
TEKEDA ALEMU (Ethiopia), associating himself with the statement made on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, said that the intensity of peacekeeping demands over the past decade required reforms and an increase in resources. Global peace and security dynamics had changed rapidly, forcing peacekeepers to operate in challenging environments. Therefore reviewing peacekeeping operations at the strategic and tactical level was imperative. Robust mandates, use of new technology, inter-mission cooperation and multidimensional operations were concrete indications that Peacekeeping missions had transformed to meet the challenges. A more dynamic partnership between the United Nations and regional organizations was needed, however, to respond more quickly to conflicts. In this context, the strategic partnership between the UN, the Security Council and the African Union Peace and Security Council had become critical in ensuring stability in Africa. This partnership must give priority to the continent’s deficiencies in logistics and funding, he stressed.
FETHI METREF (Algeria) said the tasks of peacekeeping missions had expanded since they were first established. There was every reason to expect operations to often confront new and often unpredictable challenges and the United Nations would have to be able to adapt quickly to changing circumstances and diverse situations. Stressing the importance of clear and achievable mandates, he called for the inclusion of a human rights component in the mandates of all peacekeeping missions. Peacekeeping operations were often being authorized in the absence of clearly identifiable parties to a conflict or a viable political process and were deployed to resolve inter-State conflicts where peacekeepers might face asymmetric and non-traditional threats. The issue of safety and security of personnel thus became increasingly pressing. An inclusive process of consultations, at the intergovernmental level and covering all aspects, was needed, he said, adding that the Special Committee had a central role in the formulation of decisions. The United Nations Charter, under Chapter VIII, provided for a direct relationship between the Security Council and regional arrangements and entities, which extended to peacekeeping.
ERNESTO GRANILLO, of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), noted that United Nations peacekeeping had expanded from the traditional role of monitoring peace to focusing on the rule of law and humanitarian assistance. Such new mandates required police as well as military components. Missions also were increasingly mandated to protect civilian populations. This task was extremely difficult, especially when the resources allocated were insufficient. In addition, this multidimensional character of peacekeeping carried the risk of blurring roles and responsibilities. In that context the ICRC was committed to developing and maintaining constructive dialogue on peacekeeping with the UN, both at Headquarters and in the field.