US peacekeeping cuts could limit UN ability to protect civilians, says UN

3/9/2025 6:23

United Nations peacekeeping missions are under severe financial pressure and U.S. cuts could limit their ability to protect civilians in places like South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, a U.N. peacekeeping spokesperson said on Tuesday.



U.S. President Donald Trump last week unilaterally canceled $4.9 billion in foreign aid authorized by Congress. This includes some $800 million in peacekeeping funding appropriated for 2024 and 2025, according to a Trump administration message to Congress.



The White House budget office has already proposed eliminating funding for U.N. peacekeeping missions in 2026, citing failures by operations in Mali, Lebanon and Democratic Republic of Congo.



Washington is the largest contributor, accounting for 27% of the $5.6-billion U.N. peacekeeping budget. These payments are mandatory.