Addressing the Role of Private Military and Security Companies (PMSCs) Involved by the UN in Peacekeeping Operations

Abstract

The UN peace operations are being criticized for inefficiency and limited role in peace process. In a way, the criticism seems fair, as far as the UN is involving PMSCs in many of its missions in Africa. PMSCs are included in UN missions for the protection of personnel, disposal of explosives, as well as for the restoration of the armed forces of weak countries. There are a number of questions to address. Firstly, can PMSCs be effective in security matters of peace operations? Secondly, are they willing to keep the peace? Thirdly, being partners of the UN in the peace process, how do PMSCs contribute to protection of human rights – one of the basic declared principles of the UN. Finally, are PMSCs a new peacekeeping instrument in the UN arsenal, or is the intention for them to substitute general and well-known UN peacekeeping mechanisms, becoming a shadow force that the UN can break with when necessary?