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Should UN peacekeepers remain in Africa?

After deadly anti-UN protests erupted in the Democratic Republic of Congo, how can UN peacekeeping missions become more effective?

Africa has had more UN peacekeeping missions than any other region in the world.

Today more than fifty thousand troops are deployed with UN operations on the continent.

Despite this, violence still continues in some of these areas and in some places, there is anger over the UN's continued presence.

Just last month, anti-UN protests erupted in Goma and Butembo, in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, when citizens accused the UN of failing to contain violence by armed groups.

While in Mali, UN troop rotations were suspended for a month after the government arrested 49 soldiers from Ivory Coast, saying they had arrived in the country without permission. Ivory Coast said the soldiers were part of the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali.

So, what is the future of UN peacekeeping in Africa?

Host: Alan Kasujja (@kasujja)

Guests:
Dr. Cedric de Coning, a research professor at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs and Senior Advisor at the African Center for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes and Dr. Yvan Yenda Ilunga, Assistant Professor of Political Science and International Relations at Salve Regina University.

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16 minutes

Podcast