AU peacekeepers face deadly risks and limited recognition
Peacekeepers injured or killed in AU missions remain largely invisible. They deserve recognition, transparency and proper compensation.
International Day of United Nations (UN) Peacekeepers on 29 May recognises outstanding service and honours fallen heroes. This year, the African Union (AU) commemorated the day alongside the UN and other organisations, using the occasion to remember the African peacekeepers who risk their lives in AU-led Peace Support Operations (PSOs).
But how does the AU generally honour its peacekeepers, given the grave risks they face?
For the UN, the safety of its peacekeepers is a top priority. UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ 29 May message was clear: ‘On this International Day, we honour peacekeepers past and present, and reaffirm our shared responsibility to respect and strengthen their work.’
Peacekeeping carries high risks for those deployed worldwide. Since 1948, the UN has deployed over two million soldiers, police and civilians in over 71 operations – about half in Africa. In total, nearly 4 500 peacekeepers have died, and many others have been injured since the first mission began. Currently, over 50 000 peacekeepers are serving in 11 UN peacekeeping operations worldwide, five of which are in Africa.
The AU’s role in peacekeeping has increased over the past two decades, as Africa’s conflict landscape has changed and the AU and other sub-regional bodies have played a greater role in preventing and resolving conflict. The organisation has deployed hundreds of thousands of soldiers, police and civilians to about 22 peace support operations (PSOs), including in Burundi, Sudan, Comoros, Central African Republic, Mali and Somalia.
Data suggests casualties among AU PSOs are high compared to UN missions, particularly in Sudan and Somalia
Data suggests that casualties among AU PSOs are high compared to UN missions, particularly in Sudan and Somalia. Some reports indicate that about 59 personnel were killed in Sudan between 2004 and 2007 and roughly 3 500 in Somalia since 2007.
An AU official at a closed Institute for Security Studies (ISS) briefing recently estimated that deaths in Somalia were closer to 8 000. If accurate, this exceeds the total number of deaths across all UN operations over the past 78 years.
High fatality levels in AU PSOs are due to the volatile and asymmetric nature of current conflicts in Africa, marked by terrorism and organised insurgencies. But despite the extreme risks, the AU, unlike the UN, has never publicly released data on the numbers of peacekeepers killed in PSOs, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.
The need for the AU to honour peacekeepers’ service and sacrifice has never been greater. While UN deployments have plummeted – with no new operations since 2014 – peace operations and collective security in Africa are required now more than ever.
According to Armed Conflict Location and Event Data, Africa has the highest number of conflicts globally. In 2025, the Uppsala Conflict Data Program recorded 28 active state-based armed conflicts in Africa, up from 14 a decade ago.
The AU has never released PSO death-related data, raising concerns about transparency and accountability
Despite this, the AU has no policy or practice to recognise its peacekeepers. In 2019, a memorial wall was inaugurated at AU Headquarters on Africa Day, 25 May, to honour fallen African peacekeepers. Although the engraved names are an important symbol and provide some recognition, there has been no commemoration since.
In considering a more appropriate approach for the AU, three areas require attention.
First, the lack of public data on PSO fatalities must be rectified. In 2015, the ISS PSC Report noted that missions were ‘not allowed to release specific casualty counts.’ Instead, they delegated the responsibility to the countries contributing peacekeepers. There is no publicly available policy, but if this still applies, the AU should review this practice, given how non-recognition undermines peacekeepers’ morale.
Second, beyond public recognition, peacekeepers injured or killed in the line of duty deserve fair compensation for their families. UN General Assembly Resolution 64/269 of 2010 says the level of compensation for the death of all categories of UN uniformed peacekeepers is US$70 000. Anonymous AU sources told ISS Today that the AU pays US$50 000 maximum for death, injury and missing-in-action peacekeepers.
However, according to former AU Commission Chairperson special representative for Somalia and head of the AU Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), Mohamed El-Amine Souef, some families of fallen AU peacekeepers had not received proper compensation due to funding constraints.
Third, considering the high fatality rate in AU PSOs, assessing personnel safety and security systems is imperative. The hostile operating environment may not be the only cause for their extreme vulnerability – inadequate preparation for an active warzone is likely another factor. Souef said troops were not well prepared for Somalia’s context, pointing to possible gaps in recruitment, training and equipment.
Considering the high fatality rate in AU PSOs, assessing personnel safety systems is imperative
After al-Shabaab attacked Ugandan troops under ATMIS in 2023, which killed at least 54 soldiers, Uganda initiated an inquiry to investigate corruption in the army. It found that soldiers who were not combat-ready had been recruited and deployed to the AU mission.
This reveals another AU policy gap. There is no public record of an AU guide for member states on ensuring the safety of peacekeepers. Their protection has also not received the dedicated attention of the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC). Although the PSC has discussed the performance, mandate renewals and financing of PSOs – and pays tribute to their personnel – no decisions have been made public on how to keep them safe.
The AU should investigate the causes of high casualty rates among peacekeepers, existing safety and security practices, and implications of the risks for personnel and their missions.
This would provide a basis for revisiting or drafting new AU policies on non-disclosure of PSO casualties, safety measures during operations, and compensation for fallen peacekeepers. Dedicated PSC sessions are needed that receive regular briefings and hold PSO leaders and commanders accountable for failures that result in casualties.
These steps would help honour AU peacekeepers by publicly recognising their service and sacrifice, providing their families with reasonable compensation, and strengthening protection systems during operations.
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