Abstract
Protection of civilians (POC) is at the centre of UN peace operations, with majority of UN military and police personnel having this mandate. This chapter examines whether peacekeepers are provided with the means to fulfil it. Drawing on her experience from the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Frafjord Johnson reveals systemic weaknesses in the way the UN deploys, resources, and supports missions. A major problem is lack of guidance when host governments prove to be the main perpetrator. The primary responsibility to protect civilians rests with host governments, but the UN system also needs to train its forces in POC-operations and security reform. The chapter concludes that protection will remain an illusion for many civilians at risk unless these challenges are addressed.KeywordsSouth SudanHost GovernmentPeace Operationspeace OperationsCivilian StrategySecurity Sector Reform (SSR)These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
Highlights
After the experiences of Rwanda and Srebrenica in the 1990s, and the United Nations’ (UN) failure to act, the protection of civilians (POC) has taken an increasingly prominent role in international peace operations
The intention was to strengthen POC implementation in the field, making sure that there will be a common standard across the system, and that the capacities both on the civilian and military side are fit for purpose. In all these guidelines and policy documents, as well as in most Security Council Resolutions mandating missions with POC mandates, it is emphasised that the primary responsibility for the protection of civilians rests with the respective governments
UN peace operations must be significantly reformed in order to more effectively protect civilians
Summary
After the experiences of Rwanda and Srebrenica in the 1990s, and the United Nations’ (UN) failure to act, the protection of civilians (POC) has taken an increasingly prominent role in international peace operations. In all these guidelines and policy documents, as well as in most Security Council Resolutions mandating missions with POC mandates, it is emphasised that the primary responsibility for the protection of civilians rests with the respective governments.
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