Critique of United Nations' Impartiality in Establishing Peace in Congo
TITLE
‘The United Nations failed to act impartially to establish peace in the Congo.
ESSAY
Essay:
The history of the United Nations' involvement in the Congo following its independence in 1960 is a complex and controversial chapter in the organization's peacekeeping efforts. The view that the United Nations failed to act impartially to establish peace in the Congo is a perspective that merits consideration, given the various events and decisions that unfolded during this period.
At the outset, the establishment of the United Nations Organisation in the Congo (ONUC) in response to the Congolese government's appeal for assistance following the military mutiny and civil unrest demonstrated the initial willingness of the United Nations to intervene in order to preserve peace and stability in the newly independent nation. However, the unfolding events would reveal a series of actions and decisions that raised questions about the impartiality of the United Nations in its approach to the conflict.
One of the key points of contention was the secession of the Province of Katanga under Moise Tshombe, who enjoyed the support of Belgian forces. Despite the passing of a UN resolution calling for the removal of Belgian troops from Katanga, the United Nations' inability to effectively enforce this resolution and end the secession raised doubts about its impartiality. The fact that Belgian officers continued to operate in Katanga under the guise of supporting Tshombe's administration further underscored the complexities of the situation.
Moreover, the UN's refusal to intervene in the Katanga secession on the grounds of not interfering in a country's internal affairs highlighted a perceived reluctance to address the root causes of the conflict and hold external actors accountable for their role in exacerbating the crisis. The private statements of UN Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold indicating his support for Tshombe added another layer of complexity to the situation and raised questions about the United Nations' commitment to impartiality.
The United Nations' response to the demands of Congolese Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba for military support against external threats, as well as its eventual support for Colonel Mobutu's coup and the installation of Cyrille Adoula as prime minister, further contributed to the perception of a pro-Western bias in the organization's actions. The involvement of external powers such as the United States in shaping the outcome of events in the Congo, coupled with the brutal repression that followed the return of General Mobutu to power, highlighted the challenges faced by the United Nations in navigating Cold War dynamics and regional power struggles.
In conclusion, while the United Nations' intervention in the Congo during the early 1960s aimed to promote peace and stability in the aftermath of independence, the organization's actions and decisions during this period have been subject to criticism regarding their impartiality. The failure to effectively address external interference, the perceived alignment with certain political forces, and the eventual withdrawal of UN forces from the Congo amid continued turmoil all point to the complexities and challenges of peacekeeping efforts in a volatile and contested post-colonial context.
SUBJECT
HISTORY
PAPER
A LEVEL
NOTES
The United Nations failed to act impartially to establish peace in the Congo. Discuss this view.
Independence was granted on 30th June 1960, following elections in May 1960, with Joseph Kasavubu and Patrice Lumumba becoming President and Prime Minister, respectively. The Eisenhower administration hoped for a stable, pro-Western central government in the Republic of the Congo, but Lumumba was regarded as a communist and anti-Western figure.
However, five days after independence, a military mutiny and extensive civil unrest occurred. Belgian paratroopers intervened; Lumumba asked for them to be removed but the Belgians refused. The Congolese government appealed directly to the UN and a resolution was passed on 13th July calling for Belgian withdrawal.
The United Nations Organisation in the Congo (ONUC), a peace-keeping force, was established, and soldiers from 30 countries participated for the next four years to protect the Congo from outside interference and to help it in achieving political independence. It can be argued that the United Nations adopted a pro-Western stance.
On 11th July, the Province of Katanga had seceded and formed a separate state under Moise Tshombe; it had vast mineral wealth and produced half of the country’s total revenue. Belgian forces remained in Katanga, and on 8th August, a new UN resolution was passed allowing the ONUC soldiers to remove them. Even though Tshombe accepted UN troops replacing Belgian troops, Belgian officers under the direct control of Katanga remained.
The UN stated that it could not intervene in a country’s internal matters and refused to end the Katanga secession, blaming Tshombe rather than Belgian involvement. However, Dag Hammarskjold, the UN Secretary General, indicated his support for Tshombe in private statements. Lumumba demanded UN military support from Hammarskjöld and sought US assistance which was refused. The UN failed to take a firm stance against Belgium, which was against the interests of independence for the Congo.
Lumumba turned to the Soviets to reunite Kasai, which had also seceded, with the Congolese Central Government. This increased antagonism from the West because of Cold War hostility. On 14th September, Colonel Mobutu of the Congolese army seized power in a coup; he dismissed Kasavubu and Lumumba with some support from the ONUC military. He also ordered the Soviets out of the country. The UN gave $1 million to unpaid Congolese soldiers and supported Mobutu.
In January 1961, Lumumba was moved to Katanga where he was beaten to death by his captors. The US ensured that Cyrille Adoula was elected prime minister and he prioritized reuniting the country. In September 1961, Hammarskjold was replaced by U Thant as UN Secretary General; U Thant was determined to use force. However, in December 1961, the Kitona Accords brought agreement on the reincorporation of Katanga into the Congo. Tshombe refused to act on the agreement and the Kennedy administration decided to use UN force.
The UN was in the hands of the Americans by the end of 1962, and they were the only ones who could provide support for the ground forces that finally forced Tshombe to flee in December 1962. In 1964, Tshombe returned as President of a reunited state, but fighting resumed, prompting Belgian troops to intervene once more. In June 1964, the UN left the Congo. In 1965, General Mobutu returned to power with a military coup backed by the Americans and stability returned as a result of brutal repression.