Does United Nations peacekeeping protect civilians during civil wars? This article examines whether peacekeeping missions effectively prevent civilian deaths. While civilian protection is a stated goal of UN peacekeeping, evidence has been lacking.

New Data & Methods: We analyze unique monthly data on UN personnel deployments and civilian death statistics in Africa's armed conflicts from 1991-2008.

Key Finding: Peacekeeping forces significantly reduce civilian killings. Deploying several thousand troops alongside hundreds of police cuts violence against civilians substantially.

Why This Matters: These findings challenge criticisms about UN peacekeeping effectiveness, showing it can be an important mechanism for protecting civilians in conflict zones.