In war zones, United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions are usually the thin line between chaos and order. African countries play a crucial role in these missions, not only as recipients but also as primary providers of peacekeeping troops. African participation in UN peacekeeping missions is vital for a variety of reasons.
With assistance from nations all around the world, UN peacekeeping is a cooperative multinational endeavor that is governed by the values of objectivity, consent from all parties, and refraining from using force unless necessary for self-defense or the protection of the mission.
Peacekeepers are frequently unarmed or lightly armed, as their primary objective is to promote long-term peace rather than engage in combat. Their presence serves to deter violence and allow peacekeeping efforts to succeed.
The UN Security Council establishes peacekeeping operations, which are subsequently sent to conflict zones with the permission of the parties involved.
Given that Africans have a greater understanding of their own socio-political circumstances, the relevance of indigenous African peacekeepers on the continent cannot be emphasized.
Additionally, Africa’s active participation in UN peacekeeping missions strengthens the continent’s position in global affairs.
However, while some African countries have a sizable representation within this unit, while some simply don’t.
Top 10 African countries with the lowest UN peacekeeping troops in 2024
| Rank | Country | Number of contributions | Global rank |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
Comoros |
0 |
4th |
|
2. |
São Tomé and Príncipe |
1 |
6th |
|
3. |
Angola |
2 |
13th |
|
4. |
Algeria |
2 |
14th |
|
5. |
Botswana |
3 |
15th |
|
6. |
Madagascar |
5 |
20th |
|
7. |
Liberia |
8 |
25th |
|
8. |
Namibia |
10 |
28th |
|
9. |
Chad |
10 |
31st |
|
10. |
Mali |
27 |
47th |
