Page 8 - The CoESPU Magazine N 1 - 2018

long-term solutions. Finally, peace operations often face situations of such complexity that it is
illusory to hope to solve them in a few years.

The High-Level Independent Panel on Peace
Operations, whose recommendations remain at
the heart of our efforts to advance collective
security, called for four critical shifts. My
reform efforts aim in part to bring them about.
First, we must recognize the "primacy of
politics" so that peace operations are deployed
in support of active diplomatic efforts, not as a
substitute.
My proposals for the Secretariat peace and
security architecture seek to strengthen the link
between political strategies and operations –
and between peace and security and the
development and human rights pillars of our
work.
If we can do better on prevention, mediation
and peacebuilding, we can reduce the
unrealistic and dangerous demands on our
colleagues in uniform.
Second, peace operations should be properly
equipped.
It is time to fill critical gaps in technology,
transportation and situational awareness. More
mobility, better equipment, enhanced training and intelligence would allow us to do a better job and
eventually with smaller numbers.
Third, peace operations must embody UN values. Since the earliest days of my tenure, I have sent
strong signals of my determination to stamp out sexual exploitation and abuse. In one important
sign of progress, Member States are now certifying, prior to deployment, that none of their
personnel has a history of misconduct or human rights violations. The Secretariat also vets certain
senior personnel. We have just appointed the first-ever Victims’ Rights Advocate, and we are taking
other strong steps to promote accountability. And in keeping with an Organization-wide plan to
achieve gender parity, I am making a push for more female officers and troops in our operations.
More women in peacekeeping means more effective peacekeeping.
Fourth, we must build stronger partnerships. The Joint United Nations-African Union Framework
for Enhanced Partnership signed in April of this year is a crucial step. Beyond their troop
contributions, African states have assumed important responsibilities for peace and security on the
continent.
All across Africa, we are working closely with regional and sub-regional partners – from AMISOM
to the G5 in the Sahel to the Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad Basin.
I call on the Security Council to enhance its support, including through the clarity of mandates and
predictable funding, in particular to the G5 in order to operationalize the force in the Sahel, and to
the Multinational Joint Task Force battling Boko Haram.

6