PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Africa (22 October 2014)

In collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and Department for International Development, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office carries out regular assessments of United Nations peacekeeping missions. These assessments enable us to make recommendations for improvements and influences our negotiating position in the Security Council when drafting or renewing peacekeeping mandates. Nine out of the current sixteen United Nations peacekeeping missions are in Africa. All the missions in Africa face distinctive challenges as a result of the changing nature of the conflicts they are facing, the environment in which they operate or the capacity and capability of their personnel. Peacekeepers are likely to face violence, insurgency, terrorism and the absence of credible state authority. We welcome the announcement in June, by the United Nations Secretary General, of a review of United Nations peacekeeping. The UK will make an active contribution.