National environments shaping the women who serve should be a central part of discussions about the future of peace operations. Fundamental shifts are taking place in conversations about the future of peacekeeping. Geopolitical tensions, funding cuts and a legitimacy crisis are prompting questions about whether international peace operations remain effective and relevant. There is also…
Night has fallen over the town of Zémio, in the east of the Central African Republic. In a few hours, the December 2025 presidential election is due to take place, but the rebels of the “Azande Ani Kpi Gbe” (AAKG) militia have launched an offensive to seize the city and derail the polls. The Senegalese…
African governments must avoid replacing one dependency with another while building more accountable, fit-for-purpose security systems. Given slow economic growth, a large youth bulge and destabilising external engagement such as from Russia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Africa is set to become more unstable in the next few years. Both the Armed Conflict Location…
From election support in the Central African Republic to patrols in the disputed Abyei region, UN peacekeepers are operating in increasingly volatile environments – but shrinking resources and new threats, including drone warfare, are testing their ability to keep communities safe. Briefing ambassadors in the Security Council, senior Headquarters and field officials warned that peacekeeping…
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, strongly condemns the deadly drone attack targeting the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) logistics peacekeeping base in Kadugli, Sudan, which resulted in the loss of lives and injuries among Bangladeshi peacekeeping personnel. This reprehensible act constitutes a grave violation of international…
A severe funding shortfall is threatening to cripple UN peacekeeping operations worldwide, with the Organization warning that it will have to scale back patrols, close field offices and repatriate thousands of ‘blue helmets’ due to delayed payments from Member States. The crisis, which UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix described as “more daunting than ever,” follows…
In an era marked by geopolitical fragmentation and rising global tensions, United Nations peace operations face unprecedented challenges – but senior officials told the Security Council on Tuesday that with renewed political will and strategic adaptation, these missions remain indispensable tools for conflict resolution and protection of civilians worldwide. Under-Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix and Assistant Secretary-General…
The General Assembly on Monday approved a $5.38 billion budget for UN peacekeeping operations for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, down slightly from the previous year, as delegates wrapped up weeks of negotiations amid warnings about persistent funding challenges. Acting on the recommendation of its Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary), the Assembly endorsed the budgets for…
