Evaluating UN Peacekeeping Performance: Assessing UNMISS Operations and Civilian Protection Strategies in Unity State, South Sudan

Global Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies | Vol. 11, No. 8, August 2020 | pp. 64–72

DOI: 10.46882/2020/GJPCS/110801

Article Type: Original Research Paper

Title: Evaluating UN Peacekeeping Performance: Assessing UNMISS Operations and Civilian Protection Strategies in Unity State, South Sudan

Authors: John L. Deng¹, Claire M. Dubois²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Institute for Peace, Development and Security Studies, University of Juba, Juba, South Sudan; ²Department of War Studies, King's College London, London, United Kingdom

Abstract:
Protecting civilian populations within active war zones requires peacekeeping missions to combine tactical flexibility with a proactive military presence. This paper critically evaluates the operational effectiveness of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in protecting rural communities across Unity State from 2018 to 2020. Drawing on field data and 45 key informant interviews with humanitarian directors and local community coordinators, we analyze the constraints limiting UN force deployment. The findings reveal that while UN protection sites successfully saved lives in urban hubs, rural communities remained exposed to cyclical ethnic raids. Quantitative indicators establish that areas located outside a 10 km radius of static UN bases reported a 68% higher rate of livestock looting and village destruction during seasonal offensives. This vulnerability is driven by bureaucratic access restrictions imposed by state forces and a risk-averse field command structure. We conclude that improving civilian protection requires moving away from static base defense toward high-mobility long-range patrols.

Keywords: UNMISS; Peacekeeping Performance; Protection of Civilians; South Sudan Conflict; Tactical Deployment; Security Violations

Manuscript Timeline: Received: August 02, 2019; Revised: October 20, 2019; Accepted: January 12, 2020; Published: August 15, 2020

Citation: Deng, J. L., & Dubois, C. M. (2020). Evaluating UN Peacekeeping Performance: Assessing UNMISS Operations and Civilian Protection Strategies in Unity State, South Sudan. Global Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies, 11(8), 64–72. DOI: 10.46882/2020/GJPCS/110801

Subscribe to read the full article: https://internationalscholarsjournals.org/subscribe-to-read