Journals / Diplomasi Araştırmaları Dergisi / 2026 / Sayı: 2026

Responsible Transition in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations: Withdrawal of MONUSCO

Birleşmiş Milletler Barışı Koruma Operasyonlarında Sorumlu Geçiş Yaklaşımı: MONUSCO'nun Çekilme Süreci

Zeynep Arıöz(Bandırma Onyedi Eylül Üniversitesi)0000-0001-7470-5407
Pages
—
Publication Date
2026-09-28
DOI
—
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Therefore, withdrawal should be conducted with the host state and according to conditions on the ground.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:The termination of United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operations has increasingly been reframed through the responsible transition approach, emphasizing security, state capacity, and national ownership.
📊
Key Findings & Data:The study demonstrates that a successful exit strategy depends on a transition plan and simultaneous security, state capacity, and national and local ownership.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:Therefore, withdrawal should be conducted with the host state and according to conditions on the ground.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Birleşmiş Milletler Barışı Koruma · Çıkış Stratejisi · Demokratik Kongo Cumhuriyeti

Abstract

The termination of United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operations has increasingly been reframed through the responsible transition approach, emphasizing security, state capacity, and national ownership. This study examines whether the withdrawal of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) meets the principles of the UN’s responsible transition approach. Using a qualitative case study, the withdrawal is assessed against four criteria: security conditions, state capacity, national and local ownership, and a planned and conditions-based transition. Findings show that although MONUSCO’s withdrawal was designed in line with the responsible transition approach, these criteria were not adequately met during implementation, preventing the transition from proceeding as envisaged. The study demonstrates that a successful exit strategy depends on a transition plan and simultaneous security, state capacity, and national and local ownership. Therefore, withdrawal should be conducted with the host state and according to conditions on the ground.

Özet

Birleşmiş Milletler (BM) barışı koruma operasyonlarının sonlandırılması, son yıllarda güvenlik, devlet kapasitesi ve ulusal sahiplenmeyi esas alan sorumlu geçiş yaklaşımı doğrultusunda yeniden tanımlanmaktadır. Bu çalışma, Demokratik Kongo Cumhuriyeti’ndeki BM İstikrar Misyonu’nun (MONUSCO) çekilme sürecinin, BM’nin sorumlu geçiş yaklaşımının temel ilkelerini ne ölçüde karşıladığını incelemektedir. Araştırmada nitel vaka çalışması yöntemi benimsenmiş; çekilme süreci güvenlik koşulları, devlet kapasitesi, ulusal ve yerel sahiplenme ile planlı ve koşullara bağlı geçiş olmak üzere dört temel ölçüt üzerinden değerlendirilmiştir. Bulgular, MONUSCO’nun çekilme sürecinin kurumsal düzeyde sorumlu geçiş yaklaşımı doğrultusunda tasarlanmasına rağmen, uygulama sürecinde söz konusu dört ölçütün istenilen düzeyde karşılanamadığını ve bu nedenle geçiş sürecinin öngörüldüğü şekilde ilerlemediğini göstermektedir. Çalışma, başarılı bir çıkış stratejisinin yalnızca iyi tasarlanmış bir geçiş planına değil, güvenlik, devlet kapasitesi ile ulusal ve yerel sahiplenme koşullarının sahada eş zamanlı olarak sağlanmasına bağlı olduğunu ortaya koymaktadır. Bu nedenle, çekilme sürecinin ev sahibi devletle iş birliği içinde ve sahadaki koşullar dikkate alınarak yürütülmesi önerilmektedir.

🔖

Cite This Article

Arıöz, Z. (2026). Responsible Transition in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations: Withdrawal of MONUSCO. Diplomasi Araştırmaları Dergisi, Sayı: 2026. https://ajindex.com/articles/1473083

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (74)

  1. African Security Analysis. (2025). MONUSCO’s drawdown and the Dec 2025 UNSC mandate on the DRC: A critical African security assessment of strategic risks, state fragility, and regional complexities (ASA Situation Reports). Retrieved from https://www.africansecurityanalysis.com/reports/monusco-s-drawdown-and-the-dec-2025-unsc-mandate-on-the-drc-a-critical-african-security-assessment-of-strategic-risks-state-fragility-and-regional-complexities
  2. Aloyo, E., & Swenson, G. (2023). Ethical exit: When should peacekeepers depart? European Journal of International Security, 8(3), 299–318. doi:10.1017/eis.2022.31
  3. Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED). (2026). Number of political violence events by country-year [Data set]. Retrieved from https://acleddata.com/aggregated/number-political-violence-events-country-year
  4. Autesserre, S. (2010). The trouble with the Congo: Local violence and the failure of international peacebuilding. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
  5. BBC. (2023, October 15). South Africa recalls UN peacekeepers accused of sexual misconduct in DR Congo. BBC News. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-67115883
  6. Bellamy, A. J., & Williams, P. D. (2020). Understanding peacekeeping (3rd ed.). Cambridge, UK: Polity Press.
  7. Boutros-Ghali, B. (1992). An agenda for peace: Preventive diplomacy, peacemaking and peace-keeping (A/47/277–S/24111). New York, NY: United Nations.
  8. Clark, J. N. (2011). UN peacekeeping in the Democratic Republic of Congo: Reflections on MONUSCO and its contradictory mandate. Journal of International Peacekeeping, 15(3–4), 363–383. doi:10.1163/187541111X572728
  9. Congo Research Group, & Bureau d’Études, de Recherches et de Consulting International. (2016). Impasse in the Congo: What do the people think? Results from a national public opinion poll (Investigative Report No. 2). New York, NY: Center on International Cooperation, New York University.
  10. Cruz, C. P. (2025). Developments and trends in multilateral peace operations, 2024. Stockholm, Sweden: Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Retrieved from https://www.sipri.org/publications/2025/sipri-fact-sheets/developments-and-trends-multilateral-peace-operations-2024
  11. DCO-DPO-DPPA-UNDP. (2021). UN transitions project: Sustaining peace and development beyond mission withdrawal: Annual report July 2020–June 2021.
  12. De Coning, C. (2018). Adaptive peacebuilding. International Affairs, 94(2), 301–317. doi:10.1093/ia/iix251
  13. Diehl, P. F., & Druckman, D. (2010). Evaluating peace operations. Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner Publishers.
  14. Doss, A. (2015). United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC). In J. A. Koops, N. MacQueen, T. Tardy, & P. D. Williams (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of United Nations peacekeeping operations (pp. 656–670). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
  15. Doyle, M. W., & Sambanis, N. (2000). International peacebuilding: A theoretical and quantitative analysis. American Political Science Review, 94(4), 779–801. doi:10.2307/2586208
  16. Doyle, M. W., & Sambanis, N. (2006). Making war and building peace: United Nations peace operations. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
  17. DPKO. (2008). United Nations peacekeeping operations: Principles and guidelines. New York, NY: United Nations.
  18. Durch, W. J. (2010). Supporting peace: The end. PRISM, 2(1), 43–56. Retrieved from https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/26469094
  19. Duursma, A., Lindberg Bromley, S., & Gorur, A. (2023). The impact of host-state consent on the protection of civilians in UN peacekeeping. Peacebuilding, 16–40. doi:10.1080/13698249.2023.2196185
  20. Ebuteli, & Congo Research Group. (2024). The resurgence of the M23: Regional rivalries, donor policy, and a stalled peace process (Report 24/08). New York, NY: Center on International Cooperation, New York University.
  21. Ekyamba, I. S. (2026). The M23 rebels and the dynamics of protracted armed conflicts in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The Thinker, 107(2), 70-82.
  22. Fortna, V. P. (2008). Does peacekeeping work? Shaping belligerents’ choices after civil war. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
  23. General Assembly. (2016, May 12). Review of the United Nations peacebuilding architecture (A/RES/70/262). New York, NY: United Nations. Retrieved from https://docs.un.org/en/A/RES/70/262
  24. Gibb, R. (2025). Multilateralism and liminal governance: Regional conflict in Eastern and Central Africa. The Journal of Cross-Regional Dialogues/La Revue de Dialogues Inter-Régionaux, 6. doi:10.25518/2593-9483.406
  25. Goulding, M. (1993). The evolution of United Nations peacekeeping. International Affairs, 69(3), 451–464. doi:10.2307/2622309
  26. Hellmüller, S. (2012). The ambiguities of local ownership: Evidence from the Democratic Republic of Congo. African Security, 5(3–4), 236–254. doi:10.1080/19392206.2012.732896
  27. Hirschmann, G. (2012). Peacebuilding in UN peacekeeping exit strategies: Organized hypocrisy and institutional reform. International Peacekeeping, 19(2), 170–185. doi:10.1080/13533312.2012.665686
  28. Howard, L. M. (2008). UN peacekeeping in civil wars. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
  29. Hultman, L., Kathman, J. D., & Shannon, M. (2019). Peacekeeping in the midst of war. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
  30. International Peace Institute, Security Council Report & Stimson Center. (2023, July). Options for reconfiguring the UN presence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved from https://www.ipinst.org/2023/07/options-for-reconfiguring-the-un-presence-in-the-democratic-republic-of-the-congo
  31. IOM. (2023). Democratic Republic of the Congo crisis response plan 2023. International Organization for Migration. Retrieved from https://crisisresponse.iom.int/response/democratic-republic-congo-crisis-response-plan-2023
  32. Koops, J. A., MacQueen, N., Tardy, T., & Williams, P. D. (Eds.). (2015). The Oxford handbook of United Nations peacekeeping operations. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
  33. Labuda, P. I. (2020). With or against the state? Reconciling the protection of civilians and host-state support in UN peacekeeping. New York, NY: International Peace Institute. Retrieved from https://www.ipinst.org/2020/05/reconciling-poc-and-host-state-support-in-un-peacekeeping
  34. Lorgerie, P., & Cunningham, H. K. (2024, August 26). UN peacekeeper pullout brings mixed feelings in DR Congo’s South Kivu province. The New Humanitarian. Retrieved from https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/news-feature/2024/08/26/un-peacekeeper-pullout-brings-mixed-feelings-dr-congo-south-kivu-province
  35. Maekawa, W. (2023). Strategic deployment of UN political missions to replace UN peacekeeping operations: The demand and supply sides of transition logic. International Peacekeeping, 30(1), 23–50. doi:10.1080/13533312.2022.2149502
  36. Mac Ginty, R., & Richmond, O. P. (2013). The local turn in peace building: A critical agenda for peace. Third World Quarterly, 34(5), 763–783. doi:10.1080/01436597.2013.800750
  37. Peter, M. (2015). Between doctrine and practice: The UN peacekeeping dilemma. Global Governance, 21(3), 351–370. doi:10.1163/19426720-02103002
  38. Reynaert, J. (2011). MONUC/MONUSCO and civilian protection in the Kivus. Antwerp, Belgium: International Peace Information Service (IPIS).
  39. Richmond, O. P. (2009). A post-liberal peace: Eirenism and the everyday. Review of International Studies, 35(3), 557–580. doi:10.1017/S0260210509008651
  40. Teiner, D. (2024). The end of an era? Embedding MONUSCO’s withdrawal in the current state of UN peace operations. In O. Drewes & M. Minas (Eds.), Politikwissenschaftlicher Jahresrückblick 2024 des Trierer Institut für Demokratie- und Parteienforschung (pp. 80–87). Trier, Germany: Universität Trier.
  41. The Carter Center. (2024). Final report: General elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, December 2023. Atlanta, GA: The Carter Center.
  42. Trithart, A. (2023). Local perceptions of UN peacekeeping: A look at the data. New York, NY: International Peace Institute.
  43. Tull, D. M. (2018). The limits and unintended consequences of UN peace enforcement: The Force Intervention Brigade in the DR Congo. International Peacekeeping, 25(2), 167–190. doi:10.1080/13533312.2017.1360139
  44. UN. (n.d.). Historical background and evolution of the mandate of MONUC/MONUSCO in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. MONUSCO. Retrieved September 12, 2026, from https://monusco.unmissions.org/en/contexte-historique-et-evolution-du-mandat-de-la-monuc-monusco-en-republique-democratique
  45. UN. (2008). United Nations Integrated Missions Planning Process (IMPP) guidelines endorsed by the Secretary-General on 13 June 2006. International Peacekeeping, 15(4), 588–607. doi:10.1080/13533310802239949
  46. UN. (2018). A4P: Our core agenda for peacekeeping. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/en/A4P/
  47. UN. (2021, September 8). UN Secretary-General’s remarks to Security Council Ministerial Open Debate on “Peacekeeping and UN Transitions”. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/statements/2021-09-08/un-secretary-generals-remarks-security-council-ministerial-open-debate-peacekeeping-and-un-transitions-delivered
  48. UN. (2026a). MONUSCO fact sheet. Peacekeeping. Retrieved from https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/factsheet/monusco
  49. UN. (2026b). United Nations peacekeeping fact sheet. United Nations. Retrieved from https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/peacekeeping-factsheet
  50. UN General Assembly. (2000, August 21). Report of the Panel on United Nations Peace Operations (A/55/305– S/2000/809). Retrieved from https://peacekeeping.un.org/sites/default/files/a_55_305_e_brahimi_report.pdf
  51. UN General Assembly. (2015). Report of the High-level Independent Panel on Peace Operations on uniting our strengths for peace: Politics, partnership and people (A/70/95–S/2015/446). Retrieved from https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/report-of-independent-high-level-panel-peace-operations
  52. UN General Assembly. (2023). Report of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations: 2023 substantive session (A/77/19). New York, NY: United Nations.
  53. UN High Commissioner for Refugees. (2000). The state of the world’s refugees 2000: Fifty years of humanitarian action. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
  54. UN High Commissioner for Refugees. (2026). Refugee Data Finder: Conflict stock displacement [Data set]. Refugee Data Finder. Retrieved from https://www.unhcr.org/refugee-statistics/
  55. UN News. (2023, June 26). Security in eastern DR Congo continues to worsen, Security Council hears. Retrieved from https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/06/1138107
  56. UN News. (2024, February 20). DR Congo: Fighting threatens stability of entire region, envoy warns. Retrieved from https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/02/1146782
  57. UN Security Council. (1999, November 30). Resolution 1279 (1999) [S/RES/1279]. Retrieved from https://unscr.com/en/resolutions/doc/1279/
  58. UN Security Council. (2001, April 20). No exit without strategy: Security Council decision-making and the closure or transition of United Nations peacekeeping operations. Retrieved from https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/438855?v=pdf
  59. UN Security Council. (2005, December 20). Resolution 1645 (2005) [S/RES/1645]. Retrieved from https://docs.un.org/en/s/res/1645(2005)
  60. UN Security Council. (2010a, March 30). Thirty-first report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved from https://monusco.unmissions.org/en/media/11512
  61. UN Security Council. (2010b, May 28). Resolution 1925 (2010) [S/RES/1925]. Retrieved from https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/683422?v=pdf
  62. UN Security Council. (2013, March 28). Resolution 2098 (2013) [S/RES/2098]. Retrieved from https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/747650?v=pdf
  63. UN Security Council. (2021, September 9). Resolution 2594 (2021) [S/RES/2594]. Retrieved from https://docs.un.org/en/s/res/2594(2021)
  64. UN Security Council. (2023a, December 19). Resolution 2717 (2023) [S/RES/2717]. Retrieved from https://docs.un.org/en/s/res/2717(2023)
  65. UN Security Council. (2023b, August 2). Options for adapting the configuration of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the future United Nations configuration in the country beyond the current mandate of the Mission: Report of the Secretary-General (S/2023/574). Retrieved from https://docs.un.org/en/s/2023/574
  66. UN Security Council. (2024a, March 21). Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (S/2024/251). Retrieved from https://docs.un.org/en/s/2024/251
  67. UN Security Council. (2024b, June 4). Letter dated 31 May 2024 from the Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/2024/432). Retrieved from https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/4053693/files/S_2024_432-EN.pdf
  68. UN Security Council. (2024c, June 20). United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Report of the Secretary-General (S/2024/482). Retrieved from https://docs.un.org/en/s/2024/482
  69. Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP). (2025a). DR Congo (Zaire). Retrieved from https://ucdp.uu.se/country/490
  70. Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP). (2025b). UCDP battle-related deaths dataset (Version 25.1) [Data set]. Department of Peace and Conflict Research, Uppsala University. Retrieved from https://ucdp.uu.se/downloads/#battlerelated
  71. Vinck, P., & Pham, P. N. (2014). Searching for lasting peace: Population-based survey on perceptions and attitudes about peace, security and justice in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Humanitarian Initiative & United Nations Development Programme.
  72. von Billerbeck, S. B. K. (2016). Whose peace? Local ownership and United Nations peacekeeping. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
  73. World Bank. (2026). Worldwide governance indicators. World Bank. Retrieved from https://databank.worldbank.org/source/worldwide-governance-indicators
  74. Zaamoun, H., & Sempijja, N. (2024). UN peacekeeping operations transition in Sierra Leone and Liberia: Analyzing the grey zones of the peacekeeping-peacebuilding nexus. African Conflict and Peacebuilding Review, 14(1), 86–122. doi:10.2979/acp.00004