As African conflicts evolve in complexity and geopolitical dynamics continue to shift, the future of peacekeeping on the continent is being closely reassessed. With the UN Peacebuilding Architecture Review underway and several large missions being downsized, new questions have emerged about the future shape of international support for African peace and security.
To contribute to these discussions, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) New York Office convened a roundtable titled “The Future of Peacekeeping in Africa: What Is at Stake?” on 18 November 2025. The event gathered representatives from Member States, the United Nations, academia, and civil society, and featured expert remarks from:
- Professor Adekeye Adebajo, University of Pretoria
- Dawit Yirga, Deputy Managing Editor for Research, Security Council Report
- Aryanà Francesca Urbani, United Nations Department of Peace Operations (DPO)
- Ulf Laessing, Head, KAS Regional Programme Sahel
Discussions focused on emerging trends in African peace operations, lessons from the MINUSMA drawdown in Mali, and how the UN and regional organizations—particularly the African Union (AU) and ECOWAS—can better divide responsibilities and adapt to new realities.
The discussion raised the following key takeaways:
- Mandates must be realistic and politically grounded. Successful peace operations depend on clearly defined objectives, political will, and unified international commitment. Mandates must reflect conditions on the ground rather than theory and account for local, national, and regional interests.
- Regional organizations are increasingly central but resource gaps persist. While the AU and ECOWAS often show greater willingness to engage in high-risk environments, they remain less resourced than UN missions. The discussion emphasized the need for a more strategic division of labor between the UN and regional pillars.
- Lessons from MINUSMA illustrate both potential and limitations. The mission helped increase political participation, particularly among women, but faced challenges stemming from incomplete host-state consent and unclear lines of responsibility. Political buy-in at both national and local levels is essential.
- Operational models must adapt to new threats, including emerging technologies. With limited appetite for large-scale traditional missions, future peacekeeping efforts must be flexible, innovative, and tailored to context while safeguarding UN impartiality and neutrality.
Strengthening partnerships between the UN, AU, and ECOWAS, aligning mandates with political realities, and investing in capacity-building will be critical to sustaining peace efforts across the continent. As peacekeeping evolves, success will hinge on political will, strategic adaptation, and shared responsibility among international and regional actors.