Africa is one of the largest contributors of troops and police officers to United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operations. Some countries on the continent even rank among some of the world’s top donors. This often translates to the experts from African countries sent on special UN missions.
- Business Insider Africa presents the top 10 African countries with the highest number of experts on UN missions.
- Data on this list is from the United Nations official website.
- Ghana ranks number 1 on this list.
African nations have a vested interest in maintaining peace and stability within and outside of Africa.
Peacekeepers from this part of the world often view their work as part of a broader effort to secure long-term stability and development for the continent.
Some of these peacekeepers are categorized as Experts on Missions.
According to a document by the United Nations, experts on missions may be kept through a contract called a consultant contract, which specifies the terms of their employment and the responsibilities they carry out.
Other individuals may have the status of experts on mission, even if they do not sign a consultant contract, if they are designated by United Nations organs to carry out missions or functions for the United Nations.
Additionally, these experts are accorded privileges and immunities necessary to enable them to carry out their missions for the United Nations.
According to one of its regulations, officials and experts on mission are exempted from accepting directions from any government or other source outside of the Organization.
“On the performance of their duties, officials and experts on mission shall neither seek nor accept instructions from any Government or from any other source external to the Organization,” the UN states.
“Officials and experts on mission shall discharge their functions and regulate their conduct with the interests of the Organization only in view. Loyalty to the aims, principles and purposes of the United Nations, as set forth in its Charter, is a fundamental obligation of all individuals covered by the present Regulations,” it adds.
With that said, here are the 10 African countries with the highest number of experts on UN missions, as of July 31st.
Top 10 African countries with the highest number of experts on UN peacekeeping missions mid 2024
Rank | Country | Number of experts on a mission | Global rank |
---|---|---|---|
1. | Ghana | 48 | 3rd |
2. | Egypt | 40 | 5th |
3. | Rwanda | 33 | 7th |
4. | Nigeria | 29 | 8th |
5. | Zambia | 17 | 20th |
6. | Zimbabwe | 16 | 21st |
7. | Kenya | 15 | 22nd |
8. | Ethiopia | 14 | 25th |
9. | Mauritania | 13 | 32nd |
10. | Benin | 12 | 33rd |