Peacekeeping

1. Consent of the parties Non-use of force except in self-defence and defence of the mandate Impartiality Peacekeeping

2. A little bit of history… • The first form of a peacekeeping force was used in the Middle East to monitor an armistice between Israel and neighbouring Arab states in 1948. • The first armed peacekeeping force was created in 1956. • Canadian Lester B. Pearson was integral in the decision-making process that created the United Nations' first armed peacekeeping force and was awarded the Nobel Peace prize in 1957 for its creation. • In the beginning, UN peacekeeping goals were primarily limited to maintaining ceasefires and stabilizing situations.

3. Changes • During the Cold War period (1945-1990) UN peacekeeping goals were primarily limited to maintaining ceasefires and stabilizing situations on the ground. This enabled states to resolve conflict peacefully at the political level. Most conflicts were between states as opposed to internal. • However, today majority of wars are characterised by internal armed conflicts. These conflicts can be found in countries where state capacity is weak, the desire for economic gain is powerful, or past grievances place strain on the present. • A large proportion of civil wars are due to a relapse of conflict and are high in the first 5-10 years following the resolution of a conflict. • Today, peacekeeping missions are seen as multidimensional and far more complex.

4. A few characteristics of peacekeeping… • Primarily state actors • High intensityconflictswith a short duration • Occurredafterceasefires • Two or more states • Implementation/ facilitation of agreements- peace • Respect for international humanitarianlaw • UN and aidagenciesaccepted as impartial • Increase of non-state actors • Lowintensityconflicts over an extendedperiod of time • Single state • Application of force to end fighting, to protectcivilians • Combattants typicallyguilty of war crimes • UN personnel and aidworkers • Hybrid missions (UN/AU) Then (1947-1990) Now (1991-present)

5. The creation of a mission… • The United Nations Security Council normally creates and defines peacekeeping missions(the mandate). • 9 out of 15 Security members must be in favour of initiating a mission or make amendments to an existing mission. • If China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom or the United States—votes against the proposal, it fails. • The United Nations Charter stipulates that to assist in maintaining peace and security around the world, all Member States of the UN should make available to the Security Council necessary armed forces and facilities.

6. Today, a multidimensional PK force must: • Create a secure and stable environment while strengthening the State’s ability to provide security, with full respect for the rule of law and human rights; • Facilitate the political process by promoting dialogue and reconciliation and supporting the establishment of legitimate and effective institutions of governance; • Provide a framework for ensuring that all United Nations and other international actors pursue their activities at the country-level in a coherent and coordinated manner.

7. A few new actors in peacekeeping… • The UN is no longer the onlyactor in peaceoperations. A few organisations are: African Union (AU) EconomicCommunity of West African States (ECOWAS) Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) European Union (EU) North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)

8. References • http://pbpu.unlb.org/pbps/Library/Capstone_Doctrine_ENG.pdf • http://www.peaceoperations.org/ • http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/dpko/index.asp • Arnusch, Aleisha. Then & Now: Peacekeeping to PRTs. Pearson Peacekeeping Centre. 2007