The UN Secretary General Antonio Guterras has requested strengthening of the peacekeeping missions in the world. For 70 years now, UN has organized peace keeping missions in 125 countries of the world. In the meantime, there is a dilemma at UN when UNMIK is concerned.
The UN Secretary General Antonio Guterras held on Tuesday a speech at the high-level meeting about the “peacekeeping” where he called to the countries to support the missions. It has been 70 years that the UN organizes peacekeeping missions in 125 countries of the world. During the last years, the number of those who lost their lives in the missions has increased, and Guterras requested a minute of silence to honor them. Last year, the Secretary General called for “Peacekeeping Action” initiative, and engagement to reform the UN departments dealing with the missions and wider interpretation of recommendations by Cruz Report, which seeks increase of UN force. “The peacekeepers are confronted by multiple challenges, peace processes which have stagnated, inter-ethnic terrorism and organized crime. However, they all face an inclusive challenge: the gap which exists between the aspirations and reality,” Guterras said.
What should be done?
Refocusing of the peacekeeping on more realistic demands, strengthening of the missions by making them safer and mobilizing of political support to reach a solution. Forces must be trained well and equipped better. 146 countries have signed the declaration for distribution of engagements on peacekeeping operations. Among the signers is Albania.
Peacekeeping missions can conclude only if major powers agree on what to do. Some missions have become eternal. There are cases when peacekeepers were accused of sexual abuse. Nevertheless, UN has marked successes on transitioning civil wars into peace in some countries such as Mozambique, Cambodia, Guatemala and Tajikistan.
The number one UN supporter is the U.S. which has requested during Trump’s time to lower financing for peacekeeping missions. The U.S. fund 22 percent of the UN budget. The Security Council approved last week a resolution which supports UN actions against the peacekeepers who fail on defending civilians, including their return home and not paying their governments.
UNMIK and the dilemma
Saving money is a strong argument to shut down UN mission in Kosovo. Kosovo authorities as well as a number of member countries of the Security Council have requested to shut the mission down. Other countries are against and the mission continues with its duty of inducing peace, stability and respect of the human rights. However, local authorities claim the mission has concluded its duty and that there are no more clear tasks. 55 peacekeepers have lost their lives in Kosovo ever since the mission established on 10 June 1999, based on the resolution 1244 of the Security Council.
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