On 7 November the Global Centre joined the Permanent Mission of South Africa and the UN Working Group on the Use of Mercenaries in hosting an event on addressing the use of military and security enterprises in conflict. The use of proxies, enablers, and facilitators in conflict-affected areas has emerged as a critical factor that perpetuates violence and instability. These actors often operate in the shadows, supporting armed groups, influencing political dynamics, and undermining peace efforts. While some patterns of proxy involvement are global—such as the use of mercenary-related or private military and/or security contractors or transnational criminal networks—each region exhibits unique manifestations shaped by local histories, politics, and socio-economic conditions. Understanding these regional specificities is essential for developing effective responses and policy interventions.

This event explored these dynamics through case studies presented by experts with deep regional knowledge. By examining examples from different parts of the world, we discussed how these actors impact not only security but also human rights and civilian well-being and development. The discussion highlighted the ways in which proxies and facilitators contribute to displacement, exploitation, and the erosion of legal protections.

The event provided a platform for sharing insights to address the challenges posed by states’ use of proxies, in the form of mercenary, mercenary related actors, and private military and/or security companies (PMSCs).

Opening remarks

• • • MARTHINUS VAN SCHALKWYK, Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of South Africa to the UN
    • MOHAMED FATHI EDREES, Permanent Observer, Office of the Permanent Observer of the African Union to the United Nations in New York

Speakers

• • • JOVANA JEZDIMIROVIC RANITO, Chairperson-Rapporteur, UN Working Group on the Use of Mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the rights of peoples to self-determination, “The role of the member states and businesses as proxy actors in use of mercenaries, related actors and PMSCs”
    • JACLYN STREITFELD-HALL, Deputy Executive Director, Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, “Proxy actors and their role in driving human rights abuses and atrocities”
    • OLIVER WINDRIDGE, The Sentry, “Proxy actors, enablers and facilitators related to activities of mercenary, related actors and PMSCs”
    • ANNA POWLES, Professor, Massey University of New Zealand, “PMSCs and proxies in Indo-Pacific: Trends and Trajectories”