UN Peacekeeping in Sierra Leone 2003

Abstract

The UN peacekeeping experience in Sierra Leone offers invaluable lessons, not only because of the later successes of the Organization, but particularly because of the trials encountered in the early stages of involvement. The command and control challenges UNAMSIL faced, as well as the problems in transitioning from a sub-regional peacekeeping operation to a UN force, the lack of adequate preparation and an attempt to implement an ambitious mandate without adequate resources resulted in a costly crisis in May 2000.