Description
This paper presents findings from a comparative research project examining the contrasting experiences of military peacekeepers and civilian populations within two major peace operations: the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM, now AUSSOM). One key finding was the lack of trust on both sides. This has prompted an inquiry into the symbolic struggles and relational dynamics that shape the legitimacy and operational logic of these missions.
While the paper addresses the social dynamics within the field of protection, the analysis foregrounds the performative dimensions of protection, focusing on how legitimacy is constructed through visible and symbolic acts by peacekeepers. In so doing, it illustrates what happens when such performances disappoint or encounter resistance, as local actors challenge the meanings, intentions, and effectiveness of Protection of Civilians (PoC) practices. Although the vast majority of civilians expressed support for a more assertive use of force by peacekeeping missions, they ultimately felt let down by the limited outcomes achieved. This disconnect between expectations and results led to growing frustration over their persistent insecurity, regardless of whether the mission was led by the African Union or the United Nations. Thus, the paper offers a critical perspective on how legitimacy is negotiated in peacekeeping contexts, and how symbolic capital is mobilized and contested in the pursuit of protection.
