Study On The United Nations Peacekeeping Operation In The Democratic Republic Of The Congo,from 1999 To 2018

From 1996 to 2003,the war in the Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC)lasted for so long that its effects were rarely seen in the history of the African continent.Under the stalemate of the war and external pressure,the Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC)signed the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement with five other African countries in July 1999,which meant the end of the Congo(DRC)collectivization and large-scale war.Despite the signing of the peace agreement,local clashes over armed groups continued.In view of the chaotic situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC),the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC)has asked the international community to send a fair and neutral international armed force to supervise the implementation of the ceasefire agreement.In November 1999,the Security Council adopted a resolution establishing the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo(MONUC)with the mandate of monitoring the cease-fire and disarmament.This started the largest peacekeeping operation in the history of UN peacekeeping.The United Nations peacekeeping operation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is divided into two phases.The first phase is MONUC from 1999 to 2010.This phase is subdivided into three periods:the post-war recovery period from 1999 to 2002,the transitional government period from 2003 to 2006 and the post-conflict society period from 2007 to 2010.The peacekeeping missions in these three periods have different focuses due to the obvious changes in the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.The main tasks of MONUC at this stage are to supervise the implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement,Disarmament,Demobilization andReintegration,Disarmament,Demobilization,Repatriation and Resettlement,protection of civilians,Security Sector Reform and other basic tasks.Although the security situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has improved,conflicts continue in the eastern region,especially the more harmful Ituri crisis(2003),Bukavu crisis(2004)and Goma crisis(2008),which have damaged the reputation of MONUC.In 2010,due to changes in the environment in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,the United Nations adjusted itself and began the second phase of peacekeeping,namely,the MONUSCO from 2010 to 2018.In this phase,in addition to carrying out the tasks of MONUC,MONUSCO paid more attention to the protection of civilians,added new tasks of stabilization and peace consolidation,and focused on strengthening the national capacity-building in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,especially the newly formed "intervention brigade" of MONUSCO,which plays an important role in peacekeeping operations on the ground with its flexibility and autonomy.MONUC has developed from a single and traditional mission to a multi-dimensional mission,and has transitioned from a traditional first-generation peacekeeping operation to a "strong" third-generation peacekeeping operation.MONUSCO has more advantages.On the whole,the United Nations has made progress in safeguarding the national unity of the Democratic Republic of Congo,ending foreign interference,disarming and protecting civilians.Although with the help of the international community,Congo(DRC)has got rid of the "Hobbesian" state of war and achieved certain results,the security situation has improved,but it still faces many serious challenges and difficulties.The first is the security dilemma.The frequent occurrence of violence and conflicts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,especially the persistence of violent conflicts in the eastern region,has brought great security challenges to United Nations peace operations.Secondly,the target dilemma.Diversification of peacekeeping objectives is difficult to achieve effectively,especially in such target areas as protection of civilians,disarmament,demobilization and reintegration,disarmament,demobilization,repatriation,resettlement and reintegration,and security sector reform.The third is the resource dilemma.The UNconducts peacekeeping operations in such a large country,which is far beyond the UN's capacity.The UN's field operations are constrained by the shortage of peacekeepers,their lack of discipline and professionalism,lack of funds,lack of logistical supplies and other material resources.At present,the UN peacekeeping operation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is in a difficult situation and its effectiveness is not good for many reasons.First,the complexity of the conflict itself.Judging from the internal environment of the Democratic Republic of the Congo,power struggles,ethnic conflicts and land disputes are prone to frequent conflicts,which makes the conflict itself complicated and makes it more difficult to manage the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.Secondly,the positions are inconsistent.External actors have different positions on the peace-building in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.Rwanda,Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are in a state of tension due to historical disputes and actual interests.Regional issues are not conducive to the stability of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.Due to their differences in narrow interests,the major powers are unable to coordinate their peacekeeping policies towards the Democratic Republic of the Congo,thus dividing the collective peacekeeping forces.Finally,the neglect of local conflict resolution.The wrong peace-building culture leads to the wrong peace-keeping strategy,which causes the United Nations to pay too much attention to the international and national levels and neglect the settlement of local conflicts.Peacekeeping in the Democratic Republic of the Congo still needs to further coordinate and balance the positions of all parties,correct erroneous concepts and cultures,and pay attention to the fundamental solution of local violence in order to help the Democratic Republic of the Congo gradually achieve stability and peace.