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Peacekeeping, and the World Order |
Peacekeeping: A Brief History
A rundown of UN peacekeeping missions
Over the decades, peacekeeping operations have varied in size and form and have taken
on similarly varied mandates. The following is a brief summary of the UN’s peacekeeping
missions since 1948.
1948-Today
1948-Present
UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO)
Security Council calls for a halt in the Arab-Israeli war and establishes first UN peacekeeping
operation. UNTSO military observers remain in the region to monitor ceasefires, supervise
armistice agreements, prevent isolated incidents from escalating and assist subsequent
peacekeeping operations.
1949–Present
UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP)
Fighting between India and Pakistan over the State of Jammu and Kashmir. Security Council
sets up Commission and sends military observers to supervise agreed ceasefire line.
Since renewed hostilities in 1971, UNMOGIP monitors ceasefire called for by Security
Council.
1950s
1956–1967
First UN Emergency Force (UNEF I)
Egypt nationalizes Suez Canal. Israel, France and United Kingdom intervene. Vetoes by
France and United Kingdom prevent Security Council action. Emergency General Assembly
session establishes UNEF I (first armed UN peacekeeping force) to supervise withdrawal
of invading forces and act as buffer between Egyptians and Israelis. In May 1967, Egypt
compels UNEF I to withdraw.
1958
UN Observation Group in Lebanon (UNOGIL)
Violent conflict in Lebanon over proposed constitutional changes. Syria accused of interfering.
Security Council sets up UNOGIL to ensure that personnel, arms and material are not
infiltrated across Lebanese borders. After conflict is settled, tensions ease and UNOGIL
is withdrawn.
1960s
1960–1964
UN Operation in the Congo (ONUC)
Newly independent Congo faces mutiny by armed forces, Belgian military intervention
and increasing disorder. Government requests UN military assistance. Security Council
establishes ONUC. Province of Katanga secedes and ONUC faces task of maintaining the
country’s territorial integrity and political independence, preventing civil war and
securing removal of foreign military elements. At its peak ONUC numbers over 19,000
troops.
1962–1963
UN Security Force in West New Guinea, West Irian (UNTEA)
Dispute between Indonesia and Netherlands over West Irian. Agreement on UN Temporary
Executive Authority (UNTEA) to assume administrative responsibility for territory, pending
transfer to Indonesia. UNTEA/UNSF established by General Assembly. UNTEA is assisted
by UNSF, which monitors ceasefire and helps ensure law and order during transition.
1963–1964
UN Yemen Observation Mission (UNYOM)
Egypt and Saudi Arabia support opposing forces in Yemen’s civil war, threatening wider
conflict. Secretary-General’s initiative leads to disengagement agreement. Security
Council establishes UNYOM to observe agreement’s implementation.
1970s
1973–1979
Second UN Emergency Force (UNEF II)
Egyptian and Syrian forces attack on Israeli positions. As fighting between Egypt and
Israel reaches critical stage, Security Council demands ceasefire and sets up Second
Emergency Force. UNEF II stabilizes situation in Canal sector and Sinai and supervises
disengagement of forces and forms buffer between them.
1974–Present
UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF)
Uneasy truce on the Golan Heights after 1973 war is replaced by agreed disengagement
of Israeli and Syrian forces. Security Council establishes UNDOF to supervise implementation
of agreement and maintain ceasefire.
1978–Present
UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)
Israel invades southern Lebanon in retaliation for a Palestine Liberation Organization
(PLO) raid launched from Lebanese territory. Security Council creates UNIFIL to confirm
Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, restore international peace and security, and help
Lebanese Government restore its effective authority in area.
1980s
1988–1990
UN Good Offices Mission in Afghanistan and Pakistan (UNGOMAP)
Soviet military intervention in Afghanistan in 1979. After inconclusive Security Council
debate, efforts by secretary-general and his personal representative result in the 1988
Geneva Accords, committing Afghanistan and Pakistan to mutual non-interference and voluntary
return of refugees and calling for Soviet withdrawal. Security Council authorizes UNGOMAP
to monitor agreement’s implementation.
1988–1991
UN Iran-Iraq Military Observer Group (UNIIMOG)
After almost eight years of war and following diplomacy led by secretary-general, Iran
and Iraq agree to ceasefire and direct talks. UNIIMOG monitors implementation of ceasefire.
UN observers conclude mission in 1991 after confirming withdrawal of both sides’ forces
to internationally recognized boundaries.
1989–1991
UN Angola Verification Mission I (UNAVEM I)
Negotiations lead to agreement on phased withdrawal of Cuban troops from Angola, verified
by UN military observers, as a step towards implementing UN plan for Namibia’s independence.
UN observers report withdrawal of last Cuban troops from Angola in May 1991.
1990s
1991–Present
UN Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission (UNIKOM)
After suspension of hostilities undertaken by a coalition of UN Member States to reverse
Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait and restore peace and security in the region, Security Council
establishes UNIKOM in 1991 to monitor demilitarized zone along Iraq-Kuwait border, deter
border violations, and report on any hostile action.
1991–1995
UN Angola Verification Mission II (UNAVEM II)
UNAVEM II deploys military and civilian police personnel to help Angolan Government
and União Nacional para la Independencia Total de Angola (UNITA) carry out peace
agreements ending 16 years of civil war. UN also observes and verifies elections, but
UNITA contests the results. After renewed fighting, UNAVEM II helps the two sides bring
about ceasefires and agreements towards peace. Government and UNITA subsequently sign
Lusaka Protocol. UNAVEM II verifies initial stages of peace agreement.
1991–1995
UN Observer Mission in El Salvador (ONUSAL)
An integrated operation, ONUSAL verifies agreements between Government of El Salvador
and Frente Farabundo Marti para la Liberación Nacional to end decade-long civil
war. Agreements cover ceasefire, reform and reduction of armed forces, creation of new
police force, reform of judicial and electoral systems, human rights, land tenure, and
other economic and social issues. ONUSAL also verifies elections in March and April
1993.
1991–Present
UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO)
In 1988, Morocco’s Government and Frente Popular para la Liberación de Saguia
el-Hamra y de Rio de Oro (POLISARIO) agree on plan leading to referendum that allows
the people of Western Sahara to decide their political future. MINURSO deploys to implement
ceasefire and organize and conduct referendum. Differences over key elements delay plan’s
full implementation; ceasefire remains in effect.
2000-2002
2000–Present
UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE)
In June 2000, after two years of fighting in a border dispute, Ethiopia and Eritrea
sign cessation of hostilities agreement following proximity talks led by Algeria and
Organization of African Unity. In July, Security Council sets up UNMEE to maintain liaison
with parties and establish mechanism for verifying ceasefire. In September, the Council
authorizes deployment of military personnel to monitor cessation of hostilities, redeployment
of troops and temporary security zone; and to assist in ensuring observance of security
commitments by parties.
May 2002—Present
United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET)
On May 20th, 2002, East Timor becomes independent, marking the end of a two-and-one-half-year
process towards independence under UN guidance. Security Council establishes UNMISET
to provide assistance over two-year period until all operational responsibilities are
fully devolved to East Timor authorities.
For a detailed interactive version, look at the UN’s timeline slideshow.
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