The Peacekeeping Failure in South Sudan: The UN, Bias and the Peacekeeper's Mind

South Sudan was plunged into a catastrophic civil war in 2011, despite the UN deploying 7,000 soldiers and 2,000 police and civilian peacekeepers to support its transition to independence. This book explores the role of the peacekeeping mission in that failure and challenges the resignation with which many in academia and the media greeted the underperformance of the peacekeepers. It suggests that, even while under-resourced, they could have done much more to prevent bloodshed and protect civilians from the chaos of the first years of the conflict. The UN has avoided accountability and instead rewarded failed decision-makers.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 21 March 2024
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

South Sudan's admission to the United Nations in 2011 marked a historic moment, as the world welcomed the newest nation after more than 20 years of violent struggle. The celebrations on the ground reflected the palpable relief that followed years of conflict. With unprecedented goodwill and optimism, the United Nations deployed a significant force, consisting of 7,000 soldiers and 2,000 police and civilian peacekeepers, to support South Sudan's transition to independence. However, the mission's failure was imminent, and within less than three years, South Sudan descended into a catastrophic civil war.

In this book, we delve into the role of the peacekeeping mission in this tragic turn of events. Through firsthand accounts from senior UN officials and access to hitherto unseen UN documents, we challenge the resignation with which many in academia and the media greeted the underperformance of the peacekeepers. We argue that, even while under-resourced, they could have done much more to prevent bloodshed and protect civilians from the chaos that engulfed the new country in its early years.

The United Nations has thus far avoided a thorough and public examination of its actions in South Sudan. Instead, it has sought to avoid accountability and has rewarded failed decision-makers. This book aims to re-assess the legacy of that mission and to detail how its many mistakes can and should be avoided in the future.

The deployment of the peacekeeping mission in South Sudan was marked by several key errors. Firstly, the mission was under-resourced, with insufficient personnel and equipment to effectively maintain peace and security. This lack of resources contributed to the mission's inability to prevent bloodshed and protect civilians.

Secondly, the peacekeeping mission lacked a clear mandate and strategy. Without a clear understanding of what it was trying to achieve, the peacekeepers were unable to prioritize their efforts and make effective decisions. This lack of direction led to a fragmented and disjointed approach, which further exacerbated the conflict.

Thirdly, the peacekeeping mission was plagued by political interference and corruption. The UN's decision-making processes were influenced by external factors, such as geopolitical interests and donor funding, rather than by the best interests of South Sudan and its people. This political interference led to a lack of transparency and accountability, which further undermined the mission's effectiveness.

Finally, the peacekeeping mission was unable to address the underlying causes of the conflict. The mission focused solely on maintaining peace and security, without addressing the political, economic, and social factors that contributed to the conflict. This narrow approach failed to address the root causes of the conflict, which continued to simmer beneath the surface, eventually leading to the outbreak of war.

To avoid these mistakes in the future, the United Nations must prioritize the following:

- Adequate resource allocation: The United Nations must ensure that peacekeeping missions are adequately resourced, with sufficient personnel, equipment, and funding to carry out their mandates effectively. This includes providing support for training and capacity-building programs to enhance the skills and expertise of peacekeeping personnel.

- Clear mandate and strategy: Peacekeeping missions must have a clear mandate and strategy that is aligned with the broader political and humanitarian objectives of the United Nations. This includes developing a comprehensive peacebuilding plan that addresses the underlying causes of conflict and promotes sustainable peace and development.

- Independent and impartial decision-making: The United Nations must ensure that its decision-making processes are independent and impartial, free from political interference and corruption. This includes establishing transparent and accountable mechanisms for reporting and investigating misconduct and ensuring that peacekeeping personnel are held accountable for their actions.

- Addressing the root causes of conflict: Peacekeeping missions must address the underlying causes of conflict, including political, economic, and social factors. This requires a comprehensive approach that involves collaboration with local actors, including government, civil society, and religious leaders, to promote dialogue, reconciliation, and social cohesion.

- Collaboration with regional and international actors: Peacekeeping missions must collaborate with regional and international actors, including the African Union, the United Nations Security Council, and other regional organizations, to promote regional stability and security. This includes sharing information and resources and coordinating efforts to address common challenges.

In conclusion, the failure of the peacekeeping mission in South Sudan highlights the critical importance of effective peacekeeping and the need for the United Nations to prioritize the prevention of conflict, the promotion of peace and development, and the protection of human rights. By addressing the underlying causes of conflict, ensuring adequate resource allocation, promoting independent and impartial decision-making, and collaborating with regional and international actors, the United Nations can better achieve its peacekeeping objectives and contribute to the stability and well-being of the world.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350273887