Peacekeeping is assumed to be a positive action, peacekeepers are essentially “the good guys”
In 1978 Shelford Bidwell said about peacekeeping;
“they (UN Peacekeepers) seem to be a part of a face saving manoeuvre designed to provide a smoke screen” (Bidwell, 1978)
There is an accusation by the Congolese civilians that the new mandate given to the United Nations troops had led to increased bombing and shelling in cities such as Goma. More lives are being lost and more citizens displaced due to the strengthened mandate of of UN in the DRC. Al Jazeera news site posts a video suggesting that the UN peacekeeping force in the DRC is not being held accountable for its actions. The mindless shelling and intense focus on bombing the rebels is causing civilians to be caught up in the cross fire. (UN’s Peacekeeping Offensive in the DRC 2013)
Bidwells argument in 1978 affirms the idea that peacekeeping forces do not keep the peace. Instead their role is limited to an observer, a negotiator. The role of peacekeeping forces in a war torn nation is to be a calming presence when the opposing sides are ready to make a peace agreement.
This is a sound assessment however it is not the United Nations accepted role of peacekeeping forces.
peacekeeping390 