Key points
- 13,000–14,000 troops and police affected
- Trump slashes future UN funding sharply
- Cuts may weaken civilian protection worldwide
UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations will cut about 25 percent of its global peacekeeping troops and police — roughly 13,000 to 14,000 personnel — due to an escalating funding shortfall, senior UN officials said, warning that the reductions could weaken civilian protection and humanitarian operations worldwide.
The United Nations will cut a quarter of peacekeepers in 11 operations around the world in the coming months due to a lack of money, senior U.N. officials said on Wednesday, and as future funding from the United States remains uncertain. https://t.co/gVmTHAZ5Pp
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“Overall, we will have to repatriate… around 25 percent of our total peacekeeping troops and police, as well as their equipment, and a large number of civilian staff in missions will also be affected,” said one senior UN official said Wednesday, speaking anonymously, reports Reuters.
This reduction would equate to approximately 13,000 to 14,000 troops and police personnel, the official noted.
The United States is the largest contributor to UN peacekeeping efforts, covering over 26 percent of the costs, followed by China, which contributes nearly 24 percent. These contributions are mandatory.
Peacekeeping funds
According to a second UN official, the United States was already behind on payments by $1.5 billion before the new financial year began on 1 July. Washington has since added another $1.3 billion to its arrears, bringing its total outstanding amount to over $2.8 billion, according to AFP.
The US has informed the UN it intends to make a payment of $680 million soon, the first official said. The US mission to the UN has not yet responded to a request for comment.
In August, US President Donald Trump unilaterally revoked approximately $800 million in peacekeeping funds that had been allocated for 2024 and 2025, according to a message from his administration to Congress.
Trump has consistently argued that international bodies have exploited the United States and has implemented sweeping cuts to US foreign aid since returning to the presidency in January.
The White House budget office has further proposed the complete removal of UN peacekeeping funding for 2026, citing the perceived failures of missions in Mali, Lebanon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Reducing costs
Currently, the UN operates peacekeeping missions in the Middle East, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lebanon, Kosovo, Cyprus, the Central African Republic, Western Sahara, the Golan Heights demilitarised zone between Israel and Syria, Abyei — a region jointly administered by South Sudan and Sudan — and along the ceasefire line dividing Kashmir between India and Pakistan.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is also looking at broader reforms to increase efficiency and reduce costs, as the global organisation marks its 80th anniversary amidst a financial crisis.
The cuts “potentially mean a significant reduction in protection for things like humanitarian convoys and the civilians who rely on aid,” Louis Charbonneau of Human Rights Watch told the media.
“We hope the UN will prioritise lifesaving humanitarian and human rights activities,” he added.
Richard Gowan of the International Crisis Group commented that the real-world effects of the cuts “will vary case by case.”
“In somewhere like South Sudan, where peacekeepers offer many civilians a little protection and there was nearly a new war this year, cutting back peacekeepers sends a very bad signal.”
