Geo Explainer: The Blue Helmets and UN Peacekeeping

The UN peacekeeping missions have been operational since 1948 and have carried out 71 peacekeeping missions. Image: Ryan Boedi/Shutterstock

Learn more about the UN peacekeeping mission and the Blue Helmets troops helping resolve conflicts in every corner of the world

By means of Victoria Heath

More than 97,000 uniformed military personnel – contributed by national armies from more than 120 countries around the world – make up the UN Peacekeepers, also known as the ‘Blue Helmets’. Unlike soldiers who are often deployed during wars, UN Peacekeepers are deployed to guide countries out of conflicts and to ensure that peace processes run smoothly.

Over the past 75 years, more than two million women and men have participated in a total of 71 peacekeeping missions.

What is peacekeeping – and what are the challenges?

UN peacekeeping is governed by three core principles: consent of the parties, impartiality, and non-use of force (except in self-defense and defense of mandates). Despite the efforts of UN peacekeeping, politically turbulent and physically challenging environments hamper the success of some missions—for example, in Somalia, Rwanda, and the former Yugoslavia in the early 1990s.

Peacekeepers from Japan deployed by the United Nations in South Sudan. Image: Richard Juilliart/Shutterstock

A key issue is the lack of trust within local communities, leading to gaps in information that rebel groups can exploit. Multiple reports of abuse and sexual exploitation – sometimes involving peacekeepers themselves – also impact the effectiveness of missions.

However, over the course of 60 years, great successes have been achieved: conflicts have been ended in many countries, including Guatemala, Mozambique, Namibia and Cambodia. UN peacekeeping also won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1988 for its efforts to ensure peace around the world and within countries.

Soldiers and military instructors returning from deployments emphasize the importance of training soldiers to protect civilians in a non-violent manner, approach new situations with humility, and learn soft skills such as negotiation and a willingness to engage in dialogue to defuse situations.

How does it work?

All military personnel serving as Blue Helmets are seconded from their own national militaries to support the UN’s efforts. Most troops currently come from African and Asian countries. These troops can be called upon for a variety of reasons, including providing security during elections or in conflict zones, protecting civilians, and monitoring peace processes. The cost of running UN peacekeeping missions is less than 0.5 percent of global military spending.

There are many roles involved in peacekeeping. While the most common role is an infantry soldier, specialized workers known as enablers are needed to perform tasks such as rebuilding infrastructure after natural disasters. Enablers also fill specific roles, such as working as helicopter crews within transportation companies or medical facilities.All roles require UN training, as troops often find themselves in complex and dangerous situations, including ambushes.

Training of the infantry battalion of the UN peacekeeping force in Haiti. — UN infantry battalion training in Haiti in 2015. Image: Shutterstock

A major challenge for the UN is increasing the number of female personnel in its peacekeeping missions: currently, 16.7 percent of staff officers and military observers are women, but the organization aims to reach its target of 25 percent by 2028. In areas where it is culturally inappropriate for men to enter certain spaces, female soldiers can conduct searches and also screen female civilians, which in turn can improve the well-being of women and girls in the affected areas.

What UN peacekeeping missions are currently taking place?

There are currently 11 peacekeeping operations across three continents led by the UN Department of Peace Operations. The first of these – the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation – was established in the Middle East in 1948 to monitor ceasefires and armistice agreements and prevent incidents from escalating. As of March 2024, there will be a total of 998 personnel deployed to the operation, with Australia, the Netherlands and Switzerland making the largest military contributions.

The UN peacekeeping force aims to have 25 percent of its military observers and staff officers be women by 2028. Image: Michael Derrer Fuchs/Shutterstock

The largest current operation is the United Nations Mission In The Republic Of South Sudan (UNMISS), with a total of 18,125 personnel deployed as of February 2024. Of these, Rwanda, India and Nepal are making the largest military contributions, including mission experts, staff officers and contingent troops. Between these three countries, more than 37 percent of the total personnel have been contributed to ensure that the citizens of South Sudan are protected and receive humanitarian assistance.

Other missions include the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), which promotes security, stability and respect for human rights in the country. A total of 343 personnel are deployed, with Slovenia contributing the largest number of military personnel and Finland the largest number of police.

Since 2010, a mission of over 17,000 troops has been active in the Democratic Republic of Congo to protect civilians and humanitarian workers from physical violence and to support the government’s stabilization and peacekeeping efforts.