Friction and Inequality in Peacekeeping

The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) was established in 2013 to support Mali’s peace process. It represents an emerging practice of deploying UN peacekeeping missions in asymmetrical conflict environments where there is no peace to keep. While MINUSMA represents Europe’s return to peacekeeping, the largest troop contributors by a wide margin are African countries.

In a new RUSI Journal article, Signe Cold-Ravnkilde, Peter Albrecht and Rikke Haugegaard explore the task of securing mission convoys to the northern regions of the country. It shows how inequalities between European and African soldiers shape the distribution of death, danger and supplies in what has been named the world’s deadliest UN mission.