An Interview with Jean-Marie Guéhenno
Under-Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations

Mr. Jean-Marie Guéhenno was appointed the Under-Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations by Kofi Annan in October 2000. He spent part of his career in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France as, among other positions, Director of the Policy Planning Staff (1989-1993) and Ambassador to the European Union (1993-1995). Citizens for Global Solutions asked Mr. Guéhenno about peacekeeping and the role that the United Nations, NGOs and the international community play in the process.

CGS: Why is peacekeeping vital for the development of peace, security and protection of civilians in conflict zones?

The signing of a peace agreement is often just a small step on the road from conflict to sustainable peace. And the obstacles on that road are many. Spoilers could well seek a return to the chaos of war. Former combatants – including young children – might terrorize civilian populations. Victims might perpetuate violence through vengeful acts. And organized crime will try to fill the vacuum left by dysfunctional state institutions.

Addressing these issues in the key interval after hostilities have ended can help societies avoid the more tempting path back to conflict. An effective international peacekeeping operation – often vital to this effort – can monitor ceasefire agreements, secure the protection of civilians, facilitate the reintegration of former combatants, and provide political mediation. It can also assist with selection of an interim government, restructuring of police services, or strengthening of the judiciary and other state institutions. These tasks are essential for lasting peace and can save the international community billions by avoiding a return to war.

CGS: What are some of the recent successes in UN peacekeeping missions?

The successes of UN peacekeeping are many, though we don’t always see sufficient mention in the press. In Timor-Leste, the UN is successfully winding down after having assisted in creating sustainable institutions of a viable and independent democratic state. In Sierra Leone, a democratically elected government, while still consolidating a fragile situation, is in the process of taking over responsibility for security from the UN mission. The UN mission in Afghanistan has supported the Afghan Constitutional Loya Jirga as it approved a new constitution and was instrumental in helping Afghans – including millions of women – participate in democratic presidential elections. With UN support, Liberia is experiencing a measure of stability that its younger generation has never known.

CGS: What are some of the challenges the UN faces when deploying peacekeepers?

The challenges in peacekeeping are also abundant. The road ahead in Afghanistan, Burundi, Liberia, Haiti, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Cote D’Ivoire will be perilous. Political processes we are concurrently managing in Kosovo, Eritrea/Ethiopia, and Georgia remain extremely complex and sensitive. Massive crimes against civilians continue in Darfur. With 18 current peacekeeping operations, including five new operations launched over the last two years, it is difficult to get Member States to provide adequate numbers of troops and police. As a result, we face serious constraints in deploying personnel in a timely manner, and shortages in headquarters staff also hamper our ability to provide the requisite support to our missions in the field. We also face the very serious issue of peacekeeper misconduct, including cases of sexual abuse and exploitation as have come to light in the DRC.

CGS: What can the U.S. and the international community do to meet these challenges?

The UN is no more effective than the collective efforts of its membership. Strong and cohesive Member State engagement is needed to put an end to massive human rights violations in Darfur and elsewhere, support peacekeeping and development in Africa, and strengthen the rule of law on the national and international levels. Security Council members can help ensure appropriate and effective Security Council action and mandates. UN Member States can back these mandates with necessary resources and political support. We also urge Member States to endorse our strategies for addressing peacekeeper misconduct and to assist in the broader continuing effort to reform and strengthen the UN system.

CGS: How will some of the reforms proposed by Secretary General Kofi Annan’s report In Larger Freedom help peacekeeping operations?

The report sets forth a range of steps to help the UN and its Member States better address issues relating to development, security and human rights five years after the issuance of the Millennium Development Goals. The report cites our success in helping countries emerge from conflict and contains several initiatives in the area of peacekeeping. It stresses the need for increased reliance on regional organizations, calls for the development of a UN strategic reserve, and recommends the establishment of a police standing capacity. Notably, the recommended Peacebuilding Commission and Peacebuilding Support Office will help keep the Security Council and ECOSOC focused on rule of law and other issues that are key for countries emerging from conflict.

CGS: What can members of Citizens for Global Solutions do at the national and local level to raise awareness about UN peacekeeping and reforms that are needed to make them more effective?

Far away problems in distant lands can appear irrelevant, but in today’s shrinking world issues of international peace, security and development touch us all. Citizens for Global Solutions can help raise awareness of the importance of United Nations peacekeeping. It can underscore the relevance of international issues to the American public. It can highlight the benefits of working in a multilateral environment as an effective means of sharing the economic and political burdens of peacekeeping and addressing today’s new threats through increased dialogue, cultural understanding, robust multilateral approaches and – when necessary – enforcement action authorized according to international law. I appreciate your assistance in spreading awareness of these matters within your membership and with the public at large.

 

Updated July 6, 2005