When There Is “A Peace to Keep” — But Peace Is Not Enough
Lessons from MINUSMA and the Future of United Nations Peacekeeping
For more than a decade, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) stood at the center of one of the world's most difficult peacekeeping operations. Created in 2013 following a military coup and the rapid expansion of armed extremist groups in northern Mali, the mission was tasked with supporting political transition, protecting civilians, promoting human rights, and helping stabilize a country caught in prolonged conflict.
Today, the release of the United Nations' latest Lessons Learned report, "A Peace That Was Not Enough," offers a thoughtful reflection on what was achieved, what proved impossible, and what future peacekeeping missions can learn from the experience.
Beyond Keeping Peace
Traditional peacekeeping assumes that a peace agreement already exists and that international forces can help preserve stability. Mali demonstrated a much more complicated reality.
Despite extensive diplomatic efforts, the political process remained fragile, armed groups continued their activities, extremist violence expanded into new regions, and public confidence in state institutions remained weak. Peacekeepers often found themselves operating in an environment where there was no lasting peace to preserve.
The report argues that modern peacekeeping missions must adapt to conflicts where political agreements are incomplete, state authority is contested, and security conditions continue to deteriorate.
A Decade of Service
Over its ten-year mandate, MINUSMA became one of the most dangerous UN peacekeeping missions in history.
More than 300 United Nations peacekeepers lost their lives while serving in Mali, making it one of the deadliest missions ever deployed by the United Nations.
Despite these sacrifices, peacekeepers continued to:
- Support political dialogue between national authorities and local communities.
- Protect civilians facing armed violence.
- Monitor and report human rights violations.
- Assist humanitarian operations.
- Strengthen local governance where security conditions allowed.
Their work often extended far beyond military operations, involving diplomacy, mediation, development support, and humanitarian coordination.
Learning From Complexity
The new report draws upon interviews with mission personnel, operational experience, and institutional analysis to identify practical lessons for future UN operations.
Among its central conclusions are:
- Peacekeeping cannot replace genuine political commitment by national actors.
- Civilian protection requires both security and functioning state institutions.
- Flexibility is essential as conflicts evolve rapidly.
- Strong partnerships with regional organizations and local communities improve mission effectiveness.
- Sustainable peace depends on governance, justice, and inclusive political dialogue—not military presence alone.
These findings are increasingly relevant as UN missions operate under growing financial constraints while facing more complex security environments worldwide.
The End of the Mission
In 2023, at the request of the Government of Mali, MINUSMA concluded its mandate and withdrew from the country.
Its departure marked the end of one of the UN's most ambitious stabilization efforts, while leaving behind valuable institutional experience for future international peace operations.
The report does not present MINUSMA simply as a success or a failure. Instead, it offers an honest assessment of the difficult realities facing peacekeeping missions when political solutions remain elusive.
Looking Ahead
The experience of MINUSMA reminds the international community that peacekeeping alone cannot create peace. Lasting stability requires political leadership, inclusive governance, respect for human rights, and sustained international cooperation.
As conflicts become increasingly fragmented and complex, the lessons from Mali will help shape a new generation of United Nations peace operations—missions that must be adaptable, politically informed, and capable of responding to rapidly changing realities.
The sacrifices made by the hundreds of peacekeepers who served in Mali continue to contribute to the global understanding of how peace can be built, protected, and sustained in the twenty-first century.
Source: United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), Lessons Learned Report – "A Peace That Was Not Enough."