UN peacekeeping missions under strain as US cuts raise alarm

United Nations peacekeeping efforts face growing financial strain after the United States unilaterally cancelled $4.9 billion in foreign aid, including over $800 million earmarked for peacekeeping operations, as reported by Africa News via Reuters on September 4.

A UN peacekeeping spokesperson warned that these cuts could drastically reduce the UN’s capacity to protect civilians in fragile contexts such as South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The U.S. accounts for nearly 27% of the peacekeeping budget, making it the largest contributor—surpassing China (18.7%) and Japan (8%). Earlier this year, the White House floated plans to eliminate these contributions altogether in its 2026 budget proposal, citing perceived mission failures.

Currently, the UN runs 11 active peacekeeping missions, including UNMISS in South Sudan and MONUSCO in the DRC. Member states are legally bound to fund these operations under the UN Charter, with the peacekeeping spokesperson urging, “We urge all member states to pay their contributions to peacekeeping in full and on time to sustain the vital work.”

This funding crisis adds to a broader trend documented in previous domestic contexts. One report from Kenya detailed how aid reductions have forced humanitarian agencies to implement severe food rationing in refugee camps such as Kakuma and Dadaab. Families are now receiving less than half of their basic nutritional requirements, with rations cut to as little as 80 cents’ worth of food per person per day.

Another recent feature reported the postponement of a vote on extending the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which has operated along the southern border since 1978. The delay stemmed from disagreements among Security Council members over the mission’s size, mandate, and financing, reflecting growing geopolitical divides. Some states pushed for scaling back operations due to cost concerns, while others argued that the mission’s presence remains vital to preventing further escalation between Israel and Hezbollah.