UN Peacekeeping Mandates and Civilian Protection: Analyzing Strategic Vulnerabilities in Transnational Deployments

Global Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies | Vol. 6, No. 7, July 2015 | pp. 487–495

DOI: 10.46882/2015/GJPCS/000076

Article Type: Policy Analysis Paper

Title: UN Peacekeeping Mandates and Civilian Protection: Analyzing Strategic Vulnerabilities in Transnational Deployments

Names of Authors: Jean-Luc Kabange¹, Kofi Mensah²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of International Relations, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo; ²Department of History and Strategic Studies, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract: Abstract: The systemic gap between formal United Nations civilian protection mandates and operational execution on the ground remains a major challenge in modern peacekeeping. This policy analysis evaluates the strategic performance and operational constraints of large-scale international peacekeeping deployments in highly volatile environments. By analyzing threat matrix databases, civilian casualty trends, and operational field directives from 2010 to 2014, this paper examines the structural obstacles to proactive civilian protection. The assessment indicates that vast geographic areas, combined with a lack of tactical transport assets, leave peacekeeping forces unable to respond quickly to asymmetric rebel attacks. Quantitative analysis indicates that the average response time to rural security alerts was 14 ± 4 hours, which significantly limits the operational deterrent effect on armed groups. The analysis identifies key structural gaps, including poor community-level intelligence sharing, unclear rules of engagement regarding preemptive force, and fragmented institutional command structures. This paper recommends creating specialized regional rapid-deployment units backed by local early warning communication networks to improve protection capabilities.

Keywords: UN Peacekeeping, Civilian Protection, Operational Gaps, Strategic Vulnerabilities, Human Security, Armed Conflict, Command Structures

Manuscript Timeline: Received: February 19, 2015; Revised: April 24, 2015; Accepted: May 28, 2015; Published: July 19, 2015

Citation: Kabange, J. L., & Mensah, K. (2015). UN Peacekeeping Mandates and Civilian Protection: Analyzing Strategic Vulnerabilities in Transnational Deployments. Global Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies, 6(7), 487–495. DOI: 10.46882/2015/GJPCS/000076

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