Columbia International Affairs Online
CIAO DATE: 11/5/2007
Peace Operations in Africa: the Next Decade
2007
Norwegian Institute of International Affairs
Abstract
While western foreign policy, security and media attention was on Iraq, Afghanistan and the Balkans over the last decade, Africa emerged as the major arena for United Nations (UN) peace operations.1 Of the 18 peace operations currently managed by the UN, 8 are in Africa, of which 6 are large complex peace operations. This explains why 75% of the approximately 100,000 military, police and civilian UN peacekeepers currently deployed can be found in Africa. The emphasis on Africa is also reflected in the UN peacekeeping budget. Of the approximate $5 billion budgeted for 2006/2007 approximately 77% is budgeted for operations in Africa.
