A CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF THE ROLE OF THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL IN PROMOTING PEACE AND SECURITY UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW

In an interconnected world filled with diverse geopolitical pressure, armed conflicts and global threats, the UNSC serves as a cornerstone of global peacekeeping efforts. It is charged with averting conflicts, mediating disputes and ensuring conformity to International Law. The United Nations Security Council plays a vital role in maintaining international peace and security through its mandate under International Law. However, its composition, dominated by five permanent members with veto power, has been subjected to intense debate and evaluation. International Law allows the resolutions of the UNSC to hold significant value which making it binding on all member states. These resolutions serve as legal equipment that guide the state behavior and form the international legal landscape. Discourse however persists regarding the extent of the power of the UNSC and the scope of its actions. Critics argue that the UNSC’s structure speculates a beehive era and does not reflect current geopolitical realities. Limiting of veto powers and expansion of permanent membership as well as other calls for reform has been met with deadlock among other member states. The UNSC also face confrontations in adjusting to new and complex security threats such as transnational crime and terrorism. These challenges often call for reaction that extend across the traditional peace keeping activities, demand inventive approaches and prominent cooperation with regional organizations and non actor states. This paper seems to examine the effectiveness of the UNSC in fulfilling its responsibilities and promoting peace globally. It explores the legal framework governing the Security Council’s actions, including the use of sanctions, conflict resolution mechanism and peacekeeping operations.