Africa-Press – Ethiopia. March 19/2021(ENA)The longstanding UN peacekeeping practices have increasingly become incompatible with the current dynamics of global peace operations, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Demeke Mekonnen said.
The ministerial meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUSPC) on Peacekeeping in Africa held virtually on Thursday.
In his remarks at the meeting, Demeke said “the longstanding UN peacekeeping practices have increasingly become incompatible with the current dynamics global peace operations, which are exposing personnel on the ground to asymmetric and direct armed attacks”.
He stated that shortage of critical supplies, poor logistics and inadequate financing were also the challenges among the others.
“Our troops in peacekeeping missions are expected to do more and more with less and less enablers including shortage of critical supplies, poor logistics and inadequate financing. Addressing these concerns is particularly relevant in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he pointed out.
Demeke highlighted that it is time for the international system to recognize that since the first ever deployment of UN peacekeeping operation, the role and responsibility of peacekeepers have kept evolving much faster.
The process of the United Nations policy formulation and planning, as well as preparation of operational guidelines and training schemes for peacekeeping missions in Africa must be participatory, where the AUPSC and the AU Commission would contribute from their informed perspectives about facts on the ground.
The need for robust capability and better or rapid intervention, in the face of challenges including attacks from Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and direct confrontation with armed elements requires stronger coordination amongst African Troop Contributing Countries within the continent, the United Nations and possible bilateral or regional cooperation mechanisms, according to the deputy PM.
Demeke noted “Peacekeeping missions cannot leave positive legacy behind or complete their tasks without implementing adequate peace building work.”
In this regard, he said adoption of the United Nations 2020 Peace building Architecture and the commitment by AU-led peace operations for successful peace building work would yield more productive outcomes.
He underscored the significance of promoting African Common Position in resolving the challenges faced by Peacekeeping Missions in the continent. “These Missions are operating under increasingly complex environment”.
Accordingly, it is also essential that the AU, the UN, and Troop Contributing Countries undertake continuous consultations to harmonize their views and ensure fair participation at all levels of mandate preparation, renewal and implementation.
