The ongoing war between Israel and Palestine in Gaza, where more than one thousand people have been killed shows the United Nations in a very poor light. Similarly, in conflicts such as those in Egypt, Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan; United Nations has practically played no role in promoting peace.
The Secretary General of United Nations appears to be satisfied simply by issuing statements and writing letters to the concerned nations in conflict. The ground reality is that the governments in different countries do not seem to be paying any attention to the appeals of UN for peace and harmony. This makes many wonder as to whether the UN has lost its relevance and importance, and has outlived its utility and purpose.
In all the areas of conflict, the United States is involved in one form or the other, whether it is directly or indirectly. In the case of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the US has unilaterally imposed sanctions against Russia without taking the UN into consideration nor have they discussed the matter with the member states.
What is particularly surprising and even shocking in the present scenario is that the Secretary General of the United Nations, who is responsible for running and managing the organisation true to its purpose and role, is not protesting. What is the view of the Secretary General with regards to the inability of the UN to prevent conflicts and ensure peace? This makes many people think that the Secretary General lacks confidence and courage, which is expected from a person holding such a crucial position.
The UN essentially must function as peacekeeper and condemn the actions of those who are creating and promoting conflict in the world. In order to do so, the UN needs to show a high level of commitment to maintaining peace and harmony. Maybe then it can gain worldwide acceptance. As it seems now, the United Nations is now a mere cosmetic body, and as a result it is jeopardising the future of certain nations.
