Peacekeeping Operations

Description

The Peacekeeping Operations (PKO) account supports programs that bolster the capacity of partner nations to conduct peacekeeping and counterterrorism operations, support stabilization in countries facing violent conflict, enhance maritime security, and conduct security sector reform.

What does this buy?

Supports several regional peacekeeping operations and bilateral security initiatives, including the security provisions of the Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty and the UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS). UNSOS provides critical equipment and logistical support to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

Justification for the Request

• PKO helps stabilize areas overcome by conflict by helping disarm combatants, supporting good governance and the rule of law, protecting civilians, and facilitating humanitarian action.
• PKO is essential to improving international security and sustaining and consolidating peace settlements.
• Assists the U.S. government’s Global Peace Operations Initiative, which has facilitated the deployment of more than 197,000 personnel from 38 countries to 29 peace operations around the world.
• Supports AMISOM which works to help stabilize Somalia and defeat al-Shabaab, a terrorist organization that has pledged fealty to al-Qaeda and poses a serious threat to regional stability.
• Funds the U.S. contribution to the implementation of the security provisions of the Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty, a fundamental element of regional stability for nearly four decades.

U.S. Interest

• Assessed U.S. contributions to UNSOS and voluntary contributions to AMISOM directly advance U.S. counterterrorism priorities in the Horn of Africa.
• AMISOM works to stabilize Somalia and help Somali security forces push back against al-Shabaab, which has carried out several attacks in recent years, including the October 2017 truck bombing in Mogadishu that killed more than 500 people.

Bold Vision

An investment of $552.94 million allows the U.S. to pay its assessments for UNSOS in full for FY 2020, as well as fund a full range of other critical activities included in the Peacekeeping Operations account. Paying our UNSOS dues at the assessed rate, and repaying arrears, will better facilitate UNSOS’s ability to provide support to AMISOM. UNSOS, which is funded as part of the UN’s annual peacekeeping budget, provides AMISOM with rations, fuel, water, vehicles such as armored personnel carriers, helicopters, and planes to carry out medical evacuation, communication and information technology equipment and services, accommodation, infrastructure, and other types of support. This is critical to allowing AMISOM – whose troops come from Uganda, Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Kenya– to fulfill its mandated tasks.

Impact of Cuts

Cuts will lessen the capabilities of our partner nations, reduce the pool of properly trained peacekeepers, and weaken international security.