Bangladesh’s role in UN peacekeeping: Challenges, achievements and future strategies

Over the past three decades, Bangladesh has emerged as the topmost contributor to United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operations. Bound by the constitutional requirement to contribute to the protection of international peace and driven by the aspiration to create a positive image towards the international community, Bangladesh has taken a leading role in serving in UN peace operations.

The dedicated service of Bangladeshi peacekeepers has earned them the epithet of the cream of UN peacekeepers.

The remarkable journey of Bangladeshi peacekeepers

Since Bangladesh participated in the UN Iran-Iraq Military Observer Group (UNIIMOG) in 1988–1991, 188,558 Bangladeshi peacekeepers, including 2,728 female peacekeepers, have served in 63 UN operations in 40 different states across five continents. 

At present, Bangladesh is the top troop-contributing country (TCC) to UN peacekeeping, with 6,956 Bangladeshi peacekeepers serving in 10 peace operations.

The Bangladeshi peacekeeping contingent in Cambodia (1992–1993) received commendations owing to their discipline and humanity in dealing with the local population. Ill-equipped and largely unsupported Bangladeshi peacekeepers in Bosnia and Herzegovina (1992–1995) demonstrated remarkable bravery and determination.

Bangladeshi peacekeepers played crucial roles in establishing peace, maintaining security, running civil administration, implementing disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration (DDR) processes, and protecting civilians in Sierra Leone (1999–2005), East Timor (1999–2012), Côte d'Ivoire (2003–2017), Liberia (2003–2018), Sudan (2007–2020), and Mali (2014–2023). At present, Bangladeshi peacekeepers are serving with distinction in several multidimensional UN peace operations in several African states.

High-ranking UN officials, host governments, and experts on military and international affairs have lauded the role of Bangladeshi peacekeepers for their contributions. The UN has awarded thousands of Bangladeshi peacekeepers for their distinguished service. Moreover, several host countries have recognised the contribution of Bangladeshi peacekeepers and taken symbolic steps to honour them.

For instance, Sierra Leone pledged to declare Bengali to be an honorary language as a sign of respect, and several schools were named 'Sierra Leone-Bangladesh Friendship School.' Similarly, a street in the Ivorian city of Danané was named the 'Bangladesh Road.'

Bangladesh's commitment to peacekeeping excellence

Bangladesh has actively invested in preparing peacekeepers for their roles. The establishment of the Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operation Training (BIPSOT) in 2002, formerly known as the Peacekeeping Operation Training Centre (PKOTC), stands as a testament to this commitment.

It offers several courses that are specifically suited to peacekeeping tasks, including disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration (DDR), security sector reform, international humanitarian law and mine action, protection of civilians, conflict-related sexual violence, and language skills.

Existing challenges and prospects for Bangladeshi military and non-military peacekeepers

While Bangladesh's achievements in UN peacekeeping are recognised and well-documented, there are also several challenges and prospects.

To begin with, Bangladeshi peacekeepers participate in developmental work, including quick impact projects (QIPs), in their places of deployment. However, they generally have not participated in reconstruction initiatives in those countries during the peace-building phase yet. Bangladesh should increase participation in the post-conflict reconstruction phase in coordination with the UN.

Next, despite being the largest contributor of personnel to UN peace operations, Bangladesh's involvement in the formulation of strategy at the UN Department of Peace Operations (UNDPO) is minor in scope. 

Thus, while Bangladeshi personnel have to fulfil peacekeeping tasks on the ground, the country has only a minor role in shaping the operational strategies. It is time for Bangladesh to explore contributing high-ranking officials in this arena, both military and non-military personnel.

After that, the UN seeks to increase the participation of women in peace operations. According to the UN's plans, female participation in military contingents should reach 15% by 2028, and 25% of military observers and staff officers should be women. 

At present, only 7.7% of Bangladeshi peacekeepers are women, including 415 female military personnel, 119 female police personnel, and a few female doctors. If Bangladesh can increase the participation of female peacekeepers, it would benefit the country greatly.

Furthermore, Bangladeshi peacekeepers have to serve in a wide range of countries, and the language barrier proves to be one of the most serious challenges. Expanding language departments and introducing advanced courses would benefit our peacekeepers.

Then, participation in UN peacekeeping became one of the core functions of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. Yet, there is no think tank or research institute in Bangladesh that is solely dedicated to the study of peacekeeping.

And lastly, since the very beginning, Bangladeshi peacekeepers have suffered from inadequate equipment and logistics support while serving on the ground. Moreover, the UN is increasingly resorting to multidimensional peace operations, and Bangladeshi peacekeepers require robust training and equipment support to participate in such missions.

More so, Bangladeshi troops highly depend on logistics support from the UN hosting country, which Bangladesh can provide. Thus, it can open a new arena as a logistics supplier for Bangladeshi contingents and later for other contingents.

A Forward-Looking Approach

Taking into account the aforementioned challenges faced by Bangladeshi peacekeepers, the following steps should be undertaken to address these challenges:

Since Bangladeshi peacekeepers are at the forefront of UN peacekeeping, the country should strive for a greater role in the decision-making and strategy-planning processes at the UNDPO. 

In order to achieve this, Bangladesh, in coordination with other major TCCs from the Global South, should undertake diplomatic initiatives for the inclusion of more Bangladeshi personnel at the higher echelons of the UNDPO. For that, Bangladesh should include force commanders and civilian personnel such as diplomats and consultants, etc.

Apart from higher echelons, Bangladesh should explore the opportunity to deploy mid- and higher-level administrative officials, engineers, consultants, and contractors to host nations in coordination with the UN. It would create new opportunities in the field of non-military engagements and nation-building activities for non-military personnel. Besides, increasing civilian participation in lower echelons would also increase credibility and develop capability.

Moreover, Bangladesh should focus on the development of the human potential of the peacekeepers. Increasing BIPSOT's capability and introducing rigorous training for multidimensional peacekeeping would help the peacekeepers. 

Also, relevant ministries and organisations, such as the Defence Ministry, the Foreign Ministry, and participating organisations, can take the initiative to establish a think tank or research organisation solely dedicated to the study of peacekeeping and peace operations.

In addition, Bangladesh should focus on more female participation in its peacekeeping contingents by including non-military women like doctors, nurses, etc., along with military women to reach the target set by the UN.

Finally, the Bangladeshi government should endure modernising the Bangladesh Armed Forces. By aligning with this modernisation programme, Bangladesh can extend the advanced equipment support necessary for peacekeeping.

Modern military equipment like armoured personnel carriers (APCs), mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), surveillance aircraft, and command centres would ensure the protection of the peacekeepers and enhance their tactical and intelligence-gathering capabilities. 

Moreover, a balanced and well-equipped contingent will always get priority in the choice list for UN headquarters. By undertaking comprehensive measures encompassing national, diplomatic, human development, and modernisation, Bangladesh can fortify its peacekeepers' ability to fulfil constitutional and international duties with heightened professionalism and effectiveness.

Lieutenant Colonel Saifullah Siddiqui, SPP, psc, is serving as Additional Director of Technical Intelligence Wing at National Security Intelligence (NSI). He has served as UN Peace Keeper in Cote D'Ivoire (2010-2011) and Mali (2016-2017).

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.