The United Nations intends to begin significantly reducing peacekeeping forces and operations, which will force thousands of soldiers in the coming months to withdraw from various conflict areas around the world, as a result of the latest reductions in American funding for the international organization.
A high-ranking UN official said that the plan includes a 25% reduction in peacekeeping forces around the world, as the United States, the largest funder of the United Nations, seeks to make changes in line with US President Donald Trump’s “America First” vision.
The reduction will include between 13,000 and 14,000 force and police personnel, out of more than 50,000 peacekeeping personnel deployed in nine global missions, and will also affect the United Nations Support Office in Somalia.
This comes as the organization plans to reduce approximately 15% of the peacekeeping forces’ budget amounting to $5.4 billion for next year.
