International Peacekeeping in Africa – Expert Voices Part 2

7 Dec 2012

In the second of our series of videos from the ISN-CSS Panel Discussion on international peacekeeping in Africa, our guest speakers consider possible next steps that may need to be taken to ensure the success of Peace Support Operations in war-torn African societies.

Yesterday’s Security Watch featured the opening remarks made by our guest speakers at the recent ISN-CSS Roundtable on international peacekeeping in Africa. Following the conclusion of the first round of discussions, the ISN’s Peter Faber then invited our guests to comment upon some of the issues raised over the course of each others' presentations. Today, we present the final round of video highlights from our panel discussion in which the guest speakers consider the future shape and scope of international peacekeeping missions in Africa.

In our first video external pagePaul D Williams considers the extent to which international organizations and regional economic communities are the legitimate actors in African peacekeeping missions. He also wonders if these actors are ‘singing from the same sheet’ when it comes to the guiding principles behind Peace Support Operations (PSOs). To support his arguments, Williams outlines the different approaches to peacekeeping employed by the United Nations (UN) and African Union (AU).

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In our next video external pageAlan Doss discusses the issue of ‘ownership’ of peacekeeping missions. Despite being an often repeated mantra, understandings of ‘ownership’ tend to differ among the increasing number of actors involved in Peace Operations. Doss suggests that these different interpretations quite often reflect the interests and priorities of donors. As a result, donors and practitioners need to think carefully about the use of this phrase so that it does not become a cover-all for excuses to intervene or not in fragile states.

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Finally, Jide Martyns Okeke argues that while African states are becoming increasingly capable of leading Peace Support Operations, there are a number of steps that can be taken to further improve African-led peacekeeping missions. These include the improvement of relevant inter-governmental structures and funding for peace operations. Okeke also suggests that the African Union should move on from the conflict-centric notions that underpin its PSOs to focus more specifically on post-conflict reconstruction programming.

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For additional reading on this topic please see:

external pageInternational Peacekeeping in Africa – Expert Voices Part 1

external pageNot Just a 'Women's Issue': Gender and UN Peace Operations

external page“Emerging Security Threats in West Africa”