THE UN MISSION IN SOUTH SUDAN

In Blue Helmet, Edward H. Carpenter, a former UN peacekeeper, provides a firsthand account of life inside UNMISS, revealing the challenges of modern peacekeeping. From navigating bureaucratic red tape to facing the brutal realities of the ethnic conflict in South Sudan, his experiences expose the gaps between the UN mission's mandated tasks and what it is actually doing.  

How do peacekeepers operate in an ongoing conflict? 

One of the core tasks of UNMISS is the protection of civilians from the threat of violence in South Sudan. However, in an environment where armed groups operate with impunity, political instability fuels violence, and resources are stretched thin, fulfilling this mission is anything but straightforward.

Providing aid amid political instability is often a life-or-death challenge. Beyond their security mandate, UNMISS peacekeepers play a critical role in humanitarian operations, tasked to create the conditions to allow  NGOs and aid agencies to deliver life-saving assistance in South Sudan’s war zones. With ongoing violence, famine, and displacement affecting millions, the ability to safely distribute aid can mean the difference between life and death for civilians in South Sudan - security and passable roads are two vital elements which UNMISS peacekeepers must provide. 

While UN military missions like UNMISS are designed to respond quickly to escalating conflicts, the reality is that bureaucratic red tape frequently slows peace efforts, sometimes with dire consequences. Unlike national militaries that operate under a single command structure, United Nations peacekeeping forces must navigate complex approval processes, political negotiations, and competing interests from multiple countries before taking action. Blue Helmet explores challenges within the chain of command, mandate restrictions, political gridlock, resource allocation delays, and the challenges of coordinating with local forces. 

Peacekeepers are deployed to protect civilians and uphold peace agreements, but in active conflict zones like South Sudan, they often face difficult choices. Limited by UN mandates, rules of engagement, and diplomatic constraints, peacekeepers frequently find themselves witnessing violence without the authority to intervene.

One of the biggest ethical dilemmas is the use of force—when should peacekeepers take action, and when must they stand down? In many documented cases, peacekeepers willing and able to protect the peace are ordered to stand down, even when civilians are under attack. This leads to painful scenarios where UN forces are present but unable to stop mass violence, raising questions about whether peacekeeping is truly effective in protecting those it is meant to serve. 

In Blue Helmet, Edward H. Carpenter shares firsthand accounts of these ethical dilemmas, exposing the uncomfortable realities of UN peacekeeping operations and the moral compromises that come with international intervention.

Can peacekeeping be improved to create lasting peace?

Despite its mandate, UNMISS faces immense challenges, from post-colonial conflicts and foreign intervention to internal UN politics. Is peacekeeping truly effective, or does it need urgent reform?

In Blue Helmet, the author says serious reforms are required to increase transparency and accountability, and deliver on the broken promise of civilian protection.