What were the problems caused by the mandate to U.N. peacekeepers in Bosnia?

The differences between the mandate of U.N. peacekeepers in Bosnia and the achievable actions of the peacekeepers caused a series of problems for the peacekeepers of UNPROFOR II.

UNSCR770 authorised the use of force under Chapter VII (of the UN charter), only for the distribution of humanitarian aid. This caused a series of problems. Firstly, this was problematic because it did not match the RoE of the contributing states in relation to the use of force. As explained in previous lectures, the RoE of peacekeepers are determined by the individual states contributing peacekeepers to the mission. This became problematic for UNPROFOR, as the RoE determined by these states further restricted peacekeepers to a state of minimum use of force only in self defence. This created problems for the enforcement of the UN’s humanitarian mandate. Another problem caused by this narrow mandate was the inability of peacekeepers to address the problems of ethnic cleansing that were growing. Peacekeepers were able to save thounsands of Bosnians from starvation but were unable to address the ethnic cleansing that was occurring because of the restrictions to their mandate.

It should be understood that the mandate did change to include the protection of civilians. In June 1993 the Mandate was extended under UNSCR836, to include the protection the already established safe zones. This resolution authorized (in addition to UNSCR770) the use of force in reply to attacks on safe areas and humanitarian convoys etc. However this was problematic as the peacekeepers in Bosnia did not have the military means to undertake such actions.

Although the mandate to UN peacekeepers on Bosnia did change and become broader, especially in relation to the use of force, problems remained for the UN peacekeepers in Bosnia. A combination of restricting RoE and a lack of physical ability meant that the mandates given by the UN became a problem and a disproportionate burden for the peacekeepers in Bosnia.