The Role of UN Peace Operations in Security Sector Reform and the Relationship with the Protection of Civilians

Lenneke Sprik, Jennifer Giblin, Alexander Gilder

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (journal)peer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)
48 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Security sector reform and the protection of civilians are regular features within United Nations (UN) peace operations. However, the two areas are often distinct from one another in the mandates of missions. What then is the relationship between Security Sector Reform (SSR) and the Protection of Civilians (PoC) in contemporary missions and how does SSR impact PoC? This article aims to draw out the relationship by conducting a comparative case study analysis based on three missions that all combine a SSR and PoC mandate: the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) and the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). The case studies provide a variety of examples which demonstrate elements of both convergence and divergence in the implementation of SSR and PoC. With SSR often taking place in a context of armed conflict, the current focus on human rights training and accountability is insufficient as the missions fail to achieve long-term SSR goals and instead must prioritise PoC due to the actions of the host states.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)33-60
Number of pages28
JournalJournal of International Peacekeeping
Volume25
Issue number1
Early online date28 Mar 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

Keywords

  • Peacekeeping
  • Security Sector Reform
  • Protection of Civilians
  • United Nations
  • MINUSMA
  • MINUSCA
  • MONUSCO
  • Peace Operations

Research Centres

  • International Justice and Human Rights Research Centre

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