1. FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF THE UNITED NATIONS PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS
PETER KYASAMA [UGANDA POLICE ]
PETER ELKJAER [DANISH POLICE]
UNPOC 37
HPSS KENYA

2. INTRODUCTION
United Nations Peacekeeping operations are guided by a number of principles like any other operations . It is upon us to walk you through the basic fundamental principles upon which PKOs are based. They however, include among others ; consent, impartially and non use of force. They are also backed up by credibility, legitimacy and the promotion of national and local ownership. We shall also consider the qualities of United Nations Peacekeeping Personnel. Finally we shall draw up a conclusion to the presentation.

3. UN peacekeeping is to help contain armed conflicts and to assist in resolving disputes through peaceful dialogue and negotiation.
The fundamental principles of UN peacekeeping have developed
over time and are now a kind of compass for peacekeeping personnel, both in the field and at United Nations Headquarters.
Therefore it is important that the meaning and practice of these principles are understood by everyone who is involved in United Nations peacekeeping operations.

4. Consent means = the main parties agrees on the conditions of the peacekeeping operation.
Consent ensures that the mission has the political and physical freedom of action needed to carry out its mandated tasks
Security Council action taken without the consent of the parties is typically a peace enforcement mission, rather than a peacekeeping mission.
And without consent – UN risks to become a party to the conflict
The Security Counsel provides the consent allready during the planning for a mission by the leading representitatives or negotiators representing the main parties to the conflict.
Without consent or withdrawal of consent may mean that SC withdraws the peacekeeping operation
ROLE: Keep on analyzing the peacekeeping envireonment – ready to prevent any loss of consent both on local and central level
SO: All UN peacekeeping personnell must therefore have a good understanding of the history, customs and culture in the mission area – and report if they se that the interest and motvation of the parties changes

5. Impartiality: is crucial to maintaining consent and cooperation of the main parties.
So like the good referee: Impartiality for UN peacekeeping operations therefore means keeping to the principles of the Charter and to the objectives of the mission mandate
IF the mission has to take adtion:
Important that the parties (or the people in the mission area) know the reason for action and the appropriate response to the action – if the action and respons is impartial the paties (and the people) will accept the action
It is important for the peacekeeping operation that the parties (and the local people) see the peacekeeping operation as a fair and open actor

6. Even if the UN peacekeeping operations are not a peace enforcement tool they may have to use force
Use of force may ONLY happen with authorization of the SC – and ONLY in self-defence
Self defence = both defence of UN personell and property
- -
If militias, criminal gangs and other spoilers seek to undermine the peace process or pose a threat to the civilian population the SC can provide the mission with a ”robust” mandate = mandate to use all necessary means
Use of force is permitted as a mesaure of last resort – and always minimum use of force.
You must be sure that the use of force is precise, proportional and appropriate for the situation
Peacekeeping personell must know Rules of Engagement (for military) and Directive on the use of Force (for the police compoents)
So that they know what level of force to use in various circimstances

7. Ressources: Ex: if you have a mission that demands 500 peacekeeping personnel in a mission area and only 200 are deployed – or if you have got the 500 peacekeeping personnel in the mission area but no equipment for the personel - the mandate is not achievable and the mission loose credibility.
Rapid: a mission mandate can be delayed because of politics in the SC - therefore it can take longer time than expected to deploy personnel or equipment
But an effective and rapid deployment can help deter spolers and destructions in the mission area
Expectations: When a peacekeeping operation starts in an area – the local population will have high expectations – they expectect changes – that things get better.
If UN cannot meet these expectations the operation can result in dissatisfacton or active opposition
THEREFORE: UN peacekeeping personell should NEVER make false promises

8. A new mission normally starts by a mandate from the UN Securiy counsil.
The legitimacy of the mandate is strong by the fact that it is directed by the UN
Secretary -General Ban Ki-Moon who is a recognized, impartial international figure.
The mission has LIDJI TIMESI from the brod representation of the many different member states – all together 192 – who contribute personelle, equiptment and funding to PO
So you can say that decisions, taken by the Security Counsil are recognized as impartial with the support or backing from up to 192 member states.
The Security Counsil has 15 members – 5 permanent members: China – France – Russia – United Kingdom and USA
And 10 non-permanent members
IMPORTANT about: Quality and conduct of military, police and civilian personnel:
The behavior of all personell must be of the higest order – meet higest standards of professionalism, competence and integrity
– IF NOT the peacekeeping operation loose legitimacy

9. Promotion of National and Local ownership means that peacekeeping personell work towards improving the lives of the local population so that once the operation is done, local people takes over much of the work that the mission has done.
Every effort should be made to promote national and local ownership and to foster trust and cooperation of local and national actors, So the mission can be a succes.
The higher feeling of national and local ownership reinforce the perceived legitimacy of the mission and support the mandate’s implementation.
Peacekeeping operations that have worked closely with local actors and have built a solid relationship with them are better able to handover the mission’s tasks to the local population when the operation withdraws. National ownership will ensure that the peacebuilding process will continue after the mission has withdrawn.
What can you do:
Talk to local people – listen to their different views on the root causes of the conflict – how can they help address theese causes
Talk to all parts of society about their needs and how the mission can help improving their lives – this means local officials, non-government organisations – All options and views should be heard and understood

10. All UN personell – no matter what level they are working at – they play an important role in representing the peacekeeping operation
All UN personell should practise the fundemental principles of the UN peacekeeping and be aware of how their work contributes to the success of the mission
So this is the qualities needed in peacekeeping personnell:

12. Summary: Three fundamental UN PKO principles
Consent / Impartiality / Non-use of Force
Important to promote national and local ownership
Peacekeepers need to demonstrate several qualities in order to promote Credibility and Legitimacy of the PKO.
Remember:
Theese fundemental principles guide UN peacekeeping operations
And by practicing them you support the (legitimacy) of the peacekeeping operation
Help promoting a sense of national and local ownership ensures that the local population will be able to continue the work once the mission departs

13. Conclusion
Uphold the basic principles upon which the United nations Peacekeeping Operations are based to ensure a successful end of any given PKO wherever you shall be.