United Nations bemoans struggles to fund peacekeeping as nations demand withdrawal of missions

By FRANCIS KOKUTSE and SAM METZ
Associated Press

ACCRA, Ghana (AP) — The United Nations’ top peacekeeping official has defended its missions worldwide even as many countries where peacekeepers operate are demanding their withdrawal. Under Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix said in Accra on Wednesday that missions were underfunded but still effective. He noted divisions among U.N. member states had hampered missions and said U.N. peacekeepers could operate in countries that allowed them. Lacroix also bemoaned how the global peacekeeping force’s budget was less than that of the New York City Police Department’s. Mali and Congo are among the countries which have told the U.N. to withdraw its forces from their territory.