Kofi Annan, then Secretary-General of the United Nations, proposed using private security companies in UN peacekeeping operations. After 26 years, the world seems more receptive to Annan’s proposal, especially with the increasing presence of “private armies” of security companies on the international scene.
Since 2000, Africa has accounted for about 13 peacekeeping missions with a strength of 90,000 employees, representing 80% of United Nations field elements. It consumes most of the $6.1 billion budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.