The Role of United Nations Police (UNPOL) in the Maintenance of Peace and Security in African Fragile States

• Kironji Rachel Munge

  Kenya Police Service

  Author

• Martin Odhiambo Ouma

  University of Nairobi

  Author

• John Lekuton

  University of Nairobi

  Author

This article focuses on the challenges UNPOL faces in fragile states in Africa. Several socio-political and operational factors often shape conflicts and peace in Africa. The article hinges on liberal institutionalism as its theoretical framework. Drawing from the DRC and South Sudan case studies, this article adopts a mixed methodological approach with secondary and primary data from Key Informant Interviews (KIIs). The article presents the results of qualitative data analysis in the narrative form. The study finds that UNPOLs in fragile states face numerous challenges in executing their mandates. It identifies that UNPOL in South Sudan experiences resource constraints, political instability, a complex security environment, and a humanitarian crisis. On the other hand, UNPOL in DRC encounters two additional challenges: Ebola outbreaks and regional power dynamics. This article concludes that a complex security environment coupled with regional security and power dynamics, political instability, resource constraints, and a humanitarian crisis significantly impede the peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts of the UNPOL in fragile African states. Despite the commonalities in UNPOL challenges in fragile states, the context-specific challenges require tailored interventions.

1. Kironji Rachel Munge, Kenya Police Service

   Rachael Kironji is a PhD student at the University of Nairobi’s Department of Diplomacy and International Studies. With two Master’s degrees in security management and strategic leadership, she has 20 years of experience in peace support operations. As a Commissioner of Police in Kenya, Rachael served in AMISOM for one year and the Eastern Africa Standby Force for two years. She currently advises on training and skills development at the Office of the National Security Advisor.

2. Martin Odhiambo Ouma, University of Nairobi

   Dr. Martin Odhiambo Ouma is a senior lecturer at the University of Nairobi, Department of Diplomacy and International Studies (DDIS). He is a holder of PhD in International studies and a distinguished scholar with wide experience in postgraduate teaching and supervision. His key thematic areas of teaching and competency include academic research methodology and also international studies with a specialty in international security, peace studies, strategic studies, and diplomacy, areas under which he has taught, mentored, and supervised several PhD and Master’s Degree students. 

3. John Lekuton, University of Nairobi

   Dr. John Ltalipen Lekuton is a lecturer at the University of Nairobi, Department of Diplomacy and International Studies. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree in International Economics & Development, a Master of Arts (M.A) Degree in Economics- Monetary & Fiscal Policy, and a Degree in Economics (honours-summa cum laude), all from Howard University, Washington, D.C.

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