MALAYSIAN PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS IN CONGO AND SOMALIA: AN OVERVIEW AND CHALLENGES

Abstract

Malaysia is one of the countries deployed as peacekeepers in Congo and Somalia. The credibility of Malaysian peacekeepers is undeniable as Malaysia keeps gaining recognition at the international level. However, the successes of Malaysian peacekeepers still need to be explored, particularly the previous deployments as well as the current ones. Thus, this paper focuses on the capability of Malaysian peacekeepers assigned in Congo and Somalia. The researchers explore the challenges and efforts of Malaysian peacekeepers towards accomplishing their tasks. This is a multiple case study comprising a series of interviews and library research for data triangulation and thematic analysis. The findings show that the Malaysian peacekeepers deployed in Congo and Somalia apply diverse ways in order to carry out their tasks effectively with some early exposure from their training in Malaysia. There are numerous differences on how they adapt with their tasks from different countries of deployments. The guidelines pertaining to this study are presented as a dimension of prior deployment that is still relevant to the present deployments.