Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe has warned that hate speech and disinformation are increasingly undermining global peacekeeping operations, calling for stronger international action to address evolving security threats.
He made the remarks in Rabat, Morocco, during the second ministerial conference on peacekeeping within the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), which brought together delegates from 62 countries, including 26 ministers.
Nduhungirehe said peacekeeping missions are facing growing challenges linked to evolving conflict dynamics, including the rise of armed groups, increased use of mercenaries, and the spread of misinformation through digital platforms.
He called for enhanced measures to counter disinformation and hate speech, warning that they are being used to destabilize peace operations and put both peacekeepers and civilian populations at risk.
The minister also urged a rethinking of traditional peacekeeping approaches, noting that current frameworks are increasingly insufficient to respond to fast-evolving non-state armed groups.
“There is a need for new peacekeeping approaches adapted to the evolving tactics of illegal armed groups and mercenaries. United Nations peacekeepers must be equipped with stronger capabilities to effectively respond to these threats,” he said.
Nduhungirehe highlighted Rwanda’s contribution to peacekeeping missions under United Nations mandates and bilateral arrangements, including deployments in the Central African Republic and Mozambique, saying such experience should inform reforms within OIF peace and security frameworks.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot commended the role of African countries, particularly Morocco and Rwanda, and reaffirmed France’s support for training and capacity building for OIF member states.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres also praised troop-contributing countries, stressing that peacekeeping operations require stronger financial and logistical support from member states amid ongoing global conflicts.
