Strengthening the safety and security of AU peacekeepers
African peacekeepers risk their lives in AU missions, yet receive little recognition, transparent reporting or fair compensation for their sacrifice.
International Day of United Nations (UN) Peacekeepers on 29 May recognises outstanding service and honours fallen heroes. This year, the AU commemorated the day with the UN and other organisations, remembering African peacekeepers who risk their lives in AU-led peace support operations (PSOs). Yet the AU has no consistent way of honouring its peacekeepers, despite the grave risks they face. What measures should be taken to reduce fatalities and strengthen the safety and security of PSO personnel?
Peacekeeping can be deadly
Peacekeeping is high risk. Since 1948, the UN has deployed more than two million soldiers, police and civilians in 71 operations, about half in Africa. Since the first mission, nearly 4 500 peacekeepers have lost their lives and many others have been injured. Currently, more than 50 000 peacekeepers are serving in 11 UN peacekeeping operations worldwide, five in Africa.
The AU’s role in peacekeeping has increased over the past two decades. As Africa’s conflict landscape has changed, the AU and its regional economic communities and mechanisms have played a greater role in preventing, managing and resolving continental conflict. The AU has deployed hundreds of thousands of soldiers, police and civilians to about 22 PSOs, including in Burundi, Sudan, Comoros, Central African Republic, Mali and Somalia.
Data suggest that casualties are high among AU PSOs compared to those of 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.
Some estimates put AU peacekeeper deaths in Somalia alone above all UN losses since 1948
An AU official at a closed Institute for Security Studies briefing recently estimated that deaths in Somalia were closer to 8 000. If accurate, this exceeds the number of UN operation deaths for the past 78 years.
Data gaps on fatalities
Fatalities are high in AU PSOs 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 number of peacekeepers killed in PSOs, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.
The need has never been greater for the AU to honour peacekeepers’ service and sacrifice. While UN deployments have plummeted – with no new operations since 2014 – peace operations and collective security in Africa are required now more than ever. Although maintaining international peace is the UN’s primary responsibility, the AU has shared the burden through the deployment of PSOs.
According to Armed Conflict Location and Event Data, Africa has the highest number of conflicts globally. In 2025, the Uppsala Conflict Data Programme recorded 28 active state-based armed conflicts in Africa, up from 14 a decade ago.
Despite this, the AU has no policy nor practice to recognise its peacekeepers. In 2019, a memorial wall with a list of names of those killed on duty was inaugurated at the Julius Nyerere Peace and Security Building of the AU headquarters on Africa Day, 25 May. Although this is an important symbol and provides some recognition, commemoration since has been insufficient. This, combined with a lack of transparency and accountability and a limited compensation scheme, lowers PSO personnel morale.
The AU pays peacekeepers roughly US$50 000 for death or injury, far below the UN’s US$70 000
Honouring peacekeepers
The AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) should honour the services of peacekeepers regularly and institute policy frameworks that strengthen their safety and security. Three areas require attention. First, lack of public data on PSO fatalities must be rectified. In 2015, PSC Report noted that missions were ‘not allowed to release specific casualty counts’. Instead, they delegated the responsibility to countries contributing peacekeepers. The AU should review the practice if it still applies, given how non-recognition undermines morale.
Secondly, peacekeepers injured during deployment deserve fair compensation, as do the families of those killed. UN General Assembly Resolution 64/269 of 2010 states that compensation for the death of all categories of UN uniformed peacekeepers is US$70 000. Anonymous AU sources told PSC Report that the AU pays about US$50 000 maximum for death, injury and missing-in-action peacekeepers.
However, according to a former special representative of the AU Commission chairperson and head of the AU Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), Mohamed El-Amine Souef, some families have not received proper compensation due to funding constraints.
Thirdly, given the high PSO fatality rate, 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 a hostile, kinetic and asymmetric active warzone is another likely factor. Souef says troops were not well prepared for Somalia, which points to possible gaps in recruitment, training and equipment.
After al-Shabaab attacked Ugandan ATMIS troops in 2023, killing at least 54, Uganda initiated an inquiry into army corruption. President Yoweri Museveni maintained in a speech on 1 June 2023 that the Ugandan soldiers were not ready for combat because of corruption.
Honouring AU peacekeepers means recognition, fair pay and stronger field safety systems
This reveals another policy gap. There is no public record of an AU guide for member states on the safety of PSO peacekeepers. Their protection has also not received the PSC’s dedicated attention. Although the Council 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.
A guide to protecting peacekeepers
Assessing personnel safety systems is imperative. Peacekeeper safety is a UN priority. UN Secretary-General António Guterres’s 29 May message was clear: ‘The UN continues to strengthen protective measures to mitigate threats and enable them [UN peacekeepers] to carry out their mandates safely.’ On 23 June 2026, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2823 to facilitate the identification, investigation and prosecution of those targeting UN peacekeeping personnel.
The AU should follow suit, prioritising safety and security and revisiting or drafting new policies on non-disclosure of PSO casualties, safety measures during operations and compensation. Dedicated PSC briefing sessions are needed to hold PSO leaders and commanders accountable for failures leading to casualties. Essential is a system for mental health and psychological support to address trauma.
Honouring AU peacekeepers could be meaningful if the organisation regularly and publicly recognised their service and sacrifice, compensated families and strengthened field safety and security systems. Investment must be made in training, leadership, logistics, policy and procedures, reporting, accountability and oversight.
