This article explores the unintended consequences associated with the protection of civilians (PoC) mandate in United Nations peacekeeping. Drawing primarily on two case studies – the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) and South Sudan (UNMISS) – we advance three lines of argument. First, the gravitational pull of PoC can distract missions from other, often interdependent, priorities. Second, the implementation of PoC can distort intended impacts. Third, these distractions and distortions can combine to produce…
Entries by Charles T. Hunt
This report looks at cooperation between the military and human rights components of the UN peace operations in South Sudan and Mali. The authors identified cultural differences between military and human rights components and turnover among the military peace keepers as key challenges for both missions, and areas of good practice that can address these challenges, such as information-sharing, joint coordination mechanisms, communications, and advocacy. Recommendations include the need to revisit the frequency of military…