UN peacekeeping is a collaborative international effort guided by the principles of impartiality, consent of all parties and the avoidance of using force unless necessary for self-defence or to safeguard the mission.
UN Peacekeepers have a primary objective of fostering long-term peace rather than engaging in combat. They are often unarmed or lightly armed, but their presence alone has a significant deterrent effect on violence, making them effective peace ambassadors.
The UN Security Council authorises peacekeeping operations, which are then deployed to conflict areas with the consent of involved parties. Considering that Africans have a deeper understanding of their socio-political realities, the importance of indigenous African peacekeepers on the continent cannot be overemphasised.
Furthermore, Africa’s active involvement in UN Peacekeeping missions bolsters the continent’s standing in global affairs. While some African countries have a reasonable amount of soldiers, others don’t.
Below are the top 10 African countries with the lowest UN Peacekeeping troops as of June 2024.
