Reforming Peacekeeping Operations: The Case of Monusco

This book summarizes the process from the Brahimi Report to UN Security Council Resolution 2211 towards the reform of Peacekeeping Operations. Our reflections have focused on some major issues concerning the reform of Security Council Resolution 2211 on the guiding principles of international law relating to peacekeeping operations as recommended by the Brahimi report, and the legal implications of this resolution. PKOs are governed by the principles of impartiality, consent and non-use of force except in self-defense. The Brahimi Report recommends a robust mandate for PKOs to use force, or at least all necessary means, to carry out their missions. We have noted that Resolution 2211 is in line with this logic, and constitutes a reform of the PKOs, insofar as it confers a precise mandate on MONUSCO. MONUSCO is authorized to use force against armed groups in the DRC, which is of course not without legal implications.