The Impact of Identity on the Success of Peacekeeping Missions: The Pakistani Perspective

Abstract

Modern peacekeepers face many challenges in the areas in which they are deployed, including often dealing with a non-cooperative host population. However, if the peacekeepers shared an identity characteristic (this paper focuses on race, religion, language, gender, and geo-economics) with the host population, would this improve how peacekeepers and the host population interact, increasing the chances of the mission’s success? This study aims to answer this question and propose whether the UN should deploy peacekeeping troops based on this common identity criteria. Since the research was qualitative, data was primarily collected through interviews and focus group discussions with veteran and undertraining peacekeepers. After an extensive thematic analysis of the interviews, the thesis yielded the following results: a) A positive link exists between a shared identity (amongst peacekeepers and civilians) and success in peacekeeping missions b) Impartiality and timely provision of humanitarian assistance builds the good reputation of a UN contingent and can enhance ‘local acceptance’ for a peacekeeping mission c) While peacekeepers should not be deployed based on identity, language training before deployment can vastly improve how peacekeepers interact with the local populace. Hence, while the UN does not need to amend its deployment policies, language is a crucial identity characteristic that the UN can utilize to improve success in peacekeeping missions