UN faces funding shortages, to cut peacekeeper force
(MENAFN) The United Nations is set to reduce its peacekeeping forces by roughly a quarter in the near future due to budget shortfalls, particularly stemming from insufficient financing from the United States, according to reports.
A senior UN official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that the organization “will have to repatriate... around 25% of our total peacekeeping troops and police, as well as their equipment,” noting that a significant number of civilian staff will also be impacted.
This reduction amounts to approximately 13,000–14,000 military personnel and police out of more than 50,000 currently deployed. The UN’s support office in Somalia will also face consequences, while the overall peacekeeping budget is expected to shrink by about 15% this year.
Several ongoing operations will be affected, including those in South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lebanon, Kosovo, Cyprus, the Central African Republic, Western Sahara, the Golan Heights demilitarized zone, and Abyei, UN sources indicated.
The uncertainty surrounding US contributions is a key factor behind the financial strain. Washington, which provides over 26% of mandatory UN peacekeeping funding, was already $1.5 billion behind in payments before the start of the new financial year on July 1. Total outstanding US payments are now reportedly more than $2.8 billion, although a $680 million payment from the US is expected soon.
US President Donald Trump sought to reduce foreign spending and in August canceled roughly $800 million in peacekeeping funds for 2024–2025. His budget office has also proposed eliminating US peacekeeping funding entirely in 2026.
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