UN peacekeeping missions in Africa are struggling to restore peace and stability to the nations in which they operate. Some African states want them out.

United Nations’ peacekeeping missions in countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), South Sudan, Mali, and the Central African Republic (CAR) are struggling to succeed.

The forces, who operate under strict guidelines, are unable to ensure general security, stabilize volatile situations or even protect civilians.

Some analysts say that such a scenario is far from successful.

Blue helmets ‘overwhelmed by violence’

“They have failed consistently to deal with the cycle of violence in those countries and the very reason for which they were brought in in the first place,” Adib Saani, executive director for the Jatikay Center for Human Security and Peace Building, told DW.

Some missions seem overwhelmed by worsening violence, according to Saani.

“A clear case in point is Mali, [the security situation] has not been resolved because day by day the violence seems to be worsening, and it looks almost like the mission is helpless,” Saani added.

Other experts blame the lack of success on the operational mandates of the missions in Africa, which restricts forces’ activities.

For example, UN peacekeeping operations are not considered tools of enforcement: The “blue helmets” are not allowed to use lethal force except in self-defense or defense of the mandate.

“I wouldn’t say that the UN missions in Africa are all failing, but rather it is the nature of their mandate that limits their efficacy or effectiveness in the areas they are meant to operate,” Fidel Amakye Owusu, an analyst with the Conflict Research Consortium for Africa, told DW.