Peacekeeping

Definition

Peacekeeping involves the deployment of foreign, neutral military forces in a post-conflict zone, with the consent of the parties to the conflict (Doyle, 2007). The aim of peacekeeping is to maintain peace and stability in the aftermath of conflict, in order to create space for the parties to negotiate and/or implement a peace settlement. Peacekeeping operations originally consisted almost exclusively of military personnel, who assumed limited responsibilities for monitoring and maintaining ceasefire lines. However, the evolution of complex peacekeeping operations, which undertake a diverse range of activities, from disarming ex-combatants to fulfilling on a temporary basis practically all the functions of government, has drawn in a wide array of police and civilian actors. Contemporary peacekeeping operations routinely include a civilian police component. Civilian police contribute to efforts to secure short-term law and order, but they also play a critical role in building long term, sustainable peace by supporting the development of efficient, accountable national police forces which reinforce the rule of law.

Distinctive Features

Peacekeeping is generally undertaken by a group of countries, under the auspices of an international organization such as the United Nations (UN). Regional organizations have also deployed peacekeeping operations, which sometimes cooperate with or are converted into UN operations. The European Union deployed peacekeepers to the former Yugoslavia Balkans; the Economic Community of West African States has implemented a number of peacekeeping operations in destinations such as Liberia and Sierra Leone; and the African Union has deployed peacekeepers to the Sudan. Another example of a regional peacekeeping initiative is the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands, delivered by a partnership of 15 Pacific region countries (Peake, 2005).

UN peacekeeping operations traditionally monitored and maintained ceasefire lines. During the Cold War, the deployment of peacekeeping operations was a relatively rare event: in more than four decades from 1945 until 1988, the UN deployed 13 peacekeeping operations. By contrast, since 1988 49 peacekeeping operations have been deployed by the UN Security Council. More than 60 UN peacekeeping operations have thus been deployed around the globe, from Haiti to East Timor and from the Balkans to Mozambique.

This vast expansion in peacekeeping operations has been matched by a brisk evolution in peacekeeping responsibilities. UN peacekeeping operations now tend to be much more complex and multidimensional (Doyle, 2007). UN operations can assume responsibility for practically all the tasks normally carried out by state institutions. Indeed, in Kosovo and East Timor the UN assumed transitional administrative responsibilities for the conduct of state affairs. In between the extremes of basic ceasefire monitoring and complete transitional administration, there are almost limitless permutations. Peacekeeping operations have thus been tasked with implementation of a peace agreement; maintenance of stability through military and police interventions; disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of former combatants; return of refugees and internally displaced persons to their homes; delivery of humanitarian services to those in need; restructuring and reform of local armed forces and police; strengthening of court and judicial systems and prison facilities; promotion and protection of human rights; conduct and monitoring of elections; and promotion of development and economic reconstruction (Farrall, 2007).

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