Peacekeepers and Mercenaries: UN, Wagner, Rwanda

Episode Narrative

In the late 20th century, a dramatic shift reverberated across the globe. The Gulf War, which began in 1990, brought together an unlikely coalition. African nations, including Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, allied with NATO forces to confront Iraq, equipped with Soviet-supplied tanks. This conflict was not merely a struggle for territory; it showcased a significant technological and tactical head-to-head between Western democracies and Eastern bloc militaries. The war's echoes would be felt far beyond the arid deserts of the Middle East. They paved the way for future interventions, altering the landscape of global conflict.

With the end of the Gulf War came an era where the United Nations stepped more boldly onto the world stage. From 1991 onward, the UN launched numerous peacekeeping missions across Africa, each with its unique mandate that mirrored the complex tapestry of civil wars and interstate conflicts. In Angola, Namibia, Western Sahara, and the Central African Republic, they sought to sow the seeds of peace in regions drenched in chaos. The aims were noble, but the challenges immense. Each mission confronted not only military skirmishes but also the daunting legacies of colonial rule and ethnic strife.

By the 2010s, the world witnessed a new chapter of conflict. The Rwandan Patriotic Army made headlines with its rapid responses to crises. In Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province, they intervened against a rising tide of Islamist insurgents, a move that underscored Rwanda's expanding military influence across the continent. This was more than just a regional response; it was a statement of intent. Rwanda's reaction capabilities evolved, showcasing the nation’s growing role in the intricate web of African geopolitics.

Yet, continuing unrest proved relentless. In 2025, the March 23 Movement, known as M23, surged back into the spotlight in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. With allegations of support from Rwanda and Uganda, this resurgence ignited another flare-up in a region already marred by conflict. Sovereignty questions loomed large as the borders of nations became smudged, complicated by the tangled alliances of the Great Lakes region.

In response to the escalating violence, the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, known as MONUSCO, faced a pivot unlike any before. Between 2023 and 2025, they undertook a rare offensive brigade operation against M23. It marked a significant shift from traditional peacekeeping roles to direct engagement in combat, as the UN orchestrated strategies to reclaim lost ground amid mounting chaos.

Simultaneously, the African Union Mission in Somalia, or AMISOM, struggled to maintain stability in a fragmented nation. Rebranded as the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia, this engagement dated back to the early 2000s and revolved around a protracted counterinsurgency against Al-Shabaab militants. These endeavors highlighted the multifaceted challenges of multilateral peace enforcement in fragile states. The specter of violence loomed large, and the cost was borne by civilians caught between conflicting armies.

As this turmoil played out against an African backdrop, another influence crept into the scene — one with its own intentions and implications. The Wagner Group, a Russian private military company, emerged prominently in Africa by the late 2010s. Their shadowy operations in the Central African Republic, Mali, Libya, and Sudan altered regional power dynamics. With hired guns, they not only influenced local conflicts but also complicated the existing plans of international diplomacy, adding layers of complexity to peace efforts already teetering on the brink.

Even as foreign influence grew, African nations grappled with internal struggles. The South African National Defense Forces, known as SANDF, faced crippling budget cuts from 2023 to 2025. Their capacity to maintain peacekeeping roles in the DRC waned, leaving the borders vulnerable to the very unrest they were tasked to quell. The rising specter of conflict loomed ominously, and the traditional peacekeeping approach faltered under the weight of financial constraints.

Further north, the Tigray War, which erupted from 2020 to 2022, served as a stark reminder of the fragility of peace. The conflict disrupted agricultural practices crucial to survival, plunging communities into despair. Yet amid the chaos, a flicker of resilience emerged. Satellite data revealed that Tigrayan farmers managed to sustain near pre-war cultivation levels, defying the odds with sheer determination against ongoing hostilities.

In Cameroon, the Anglophone crisis persisted from 2016 to 2025. The toll on society was heavy, as armed gang kidnappings grew lucrative for insurgents. This turmoil severely impacted the socio-economic fabric of the English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions. Here, the price of conflict was paid in human suffering, revealing how violence erodes the foundation of communities and families.

Then there was the Sahel region, particularly Mali, enduring a series of intersecting conflicts since 2012. Political upheaval, ethnic rivalries, and territorial disputes intertwined, making the area a battleground for French and international military interventions. Begun in 2013, these interventions aimed to restore order but often yielded mixed results, complicating the path to resolution. The experience underscored the urgent necessity for a collaborative approach in addressing deeply rooted issues.

The consequences of armed conflict were brutal and far-reaching. By 2023, the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, primarily driven by the Rapid Support Forces, transformed into one of the gravest in recent history. Nearly nine million people were displaced, their lives shattered amid widespread health crises and food shortages. A dark cloud hung over the nation as daily life unraveled, revealing the fragility of stability in a region often battered by internal strife.

Meanwhile, the Southern African Development Community grappled with persistent conflicts in the eastern DRC. Here, groups like the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, or FDLR, continued their violent activities, complicating peace efforts amid a backdrop of elite power struggles. The quest for resolution often felt like an uphill battle, as each failed attempt to bring lasting peace only fueled further unrest.

In West Africa, the African Union and regional entities like ECOWAS ventured into the complex world of conflict resolution and peacebuilding. They engaged in efforts in Côte d’Ivoire and Mali, where initial successes in de-escalating violence raised hopes for a stable future. Yet, long-term stability remained elusive. The legacy of these interventions underscored the challenges inherent in a patchwork of interests vying for peace.

The scars left by armed conflicts in sub-Saharan Africa from 1990 to 2015 profoundly affected health systems, revealing vulnerabilities laid bare by war. With dire findings highlighting the urgent need for integrated health reforms, maternal, newborn, and child health outcomes suffered grievously. The anguished cries for help echoed across war-torn lands, underscoring that the aftermath of violence often lingers long after the guns fall silent.

The shadow of the Boko Haram insurgency in northeastern Nigeria loomed large, its impact felt keenly since 2009. This insurgency contributed to one of the greatest humanitarian crises in the region, with nearly half a million deaths between 2016 and 2019. The consequences cascaded into widespread displacement, leaving families grappling with food insecurity in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states. The lives devastated by this ongoing conflict painted a vivid portrait of suffering and resilience amid despair.

A similar narrative unfolded in the Central African Republic, where conflicts driven by elite power struggles veered towards chaos. Religious and ethnic polarization were often invoked, yet the roots of instability ran deeper, entangled in political machinations that fueled violence. The bitter cycle of coups and instability emerged, leaving a nation trapped in turmoil.

As the landscape of African conflicts continued to evolve, the application of new technologies and methods of warfare became apparent. With increased use of drones and weaponry since 2010, 2021 marked a resurgence in fatalities after a temporary decline, reflecting the shifting dynamics of warfare. The age of technology brought new challenges to the frontlines previously dominated by guerrilla warfare and conventional armies.

Compounding these issues, transnational Islamist insurgencies, especially in the Sahel-Sahara region, intensified after 2004. Groups like Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb established military bases in Mali, creating a transnational movement that hindered national counterterrorism efforts. The struggle against these insurgencies raised serious questions of sovereignty, catch-and-release tactics, and the efficacy of regional forces.

The health consequences of these relentless conflicts are glaring. Direct war injuries are only the surface; the more insidious effects erode health infrastructures. As documented in northern Ethiopia and elsewhere, shortages of medical supplies and increased mortality from preventable diseases have left communities grappling with despair. The toll of conflict often manifests in silent tragedies, unmeasured but profoundly felt.

As we reflect on this journey, it becomes clear: the landscape of Africa is rich with stories of struggle and resilience. Peacekeepers and mercenaries navigate a treacherous terrain, where intentions can become muddled by geopolitics. What does the future hold as nations grapple with the legacies of conflict? As we ponder this question, the images of those directly affected by war — the faces of resilience — remain etched in memory, reminding us of the fragile nature of peace. It is through their journeys that we understand the urgent need for lasting solutions and the hope for a brighter tomorrow.