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Peace-building is unquestionably a possible solution to peacekeeping. Peace-building, a process that is inseparable from sustained democratization and economic development, has achieved a great deal. Investing in social and economic development is one of the surest ways to build a solid foundation for long term stability, within and between societies. It is absolutely necessary to understand the different mechanisms that are involved in building peace and how it can offer to be a solution to peacekeeping.
Nicole Ball on ‘The Challenges of Rebuilding War-Torn Societies’ gives a clear picture of the process involved in peace-building. Ball explains that peace-building is part of conflict resolution, which is aimed at reaching an agreement on key issues so that fighting can be halted and social and economic reconstruction can begin. “The peace-building stage consists of two phases: transition and consolidation. Priorities during these two phases center on strengthening political institutions, consolidating internal and external security, and revitalizing the economy and the society. The major objectives of the transition phase are to establish a government with a sufficient degree of legitimacy, to operate effectively and to implement key reforms mandated by peace accords. The first major objective of the consolidation phase is to continue the reform process…”8 through economic and social recovery programs.
Mr. K.Y. Amoako, Executive Secretary of ECA, has acknowledged that the United Nations has lately come to terms with the gripping fact of destruction of life and property, destroyed infrastructures and institutions, and warring factions which seem to lack the ability to distinguish between right and wrong. He notes that solutions to peace must be devised in a context that takes into account the following: the high cost of conflict and the economics of peace, the importance of peace to development, the role of civil society in promoting peace, and the reasons why women should be involved in the peace process. One can notice in the fourteen political and peace-building missions approved (page 18), that indeed the United Nations is now taking peace-building seriously.
‘The Report of the Panel on United Nations Peace Operations’, better known as the ‘Brahimi Report’, made clear recommendations on the positive effects of peace-building activities. In fact, the Report made not only general recommendations on peace-building strategies, but also examined specific issues such as finance, human rights, rule of law, and future discussions regarding the United Nations’ efforts in developing and implementing peace-building strategies. If peace-building is to be a possible solution to peacekeeping, a number of issues have to be tackled.
First, it is quite obvious that peacekeeping forces play an enormous role in supporting peace-building activities. However, we often see failures in this task for a number of reasons. One of these is the fact that a number of mandates have lacked clarity, achievable goals, and widespread support from the member-states. Peace-building cannot work without the help of the people. One clear example of this absence of will is Somalia. Mohamed Sahnoun, then Secretary-General Boutros Boutros Ghali’s first Special Envoy for Somalia, knew that in order to halt the catastrophic situation in Somalia, it was necessary to engage the Somalis themselves. Former United States Ambassador to Somalia Robert Oakley “favored Sahnoun’s style and encouraged grassroots and regional approaches. [The Special Envoy] Supported local peace efforts and the establishment of local police forces approved by and accountable to local administrative committees led by prominent members of civil society.”9 This type of effort is at the heart of peace-building efforts, but due to the national interest of involved states and a mismanaged peacekeeping operation, it all became disastrous.
In recent times, there have been too many unrealistic goals, too many vague directions to peacekeepers and peace-builders in the field, and too many changes of mandate in the midst of operations.10 Any decision made by the Council must take into account the interests of the major powers, the concerns of contributing states, the situation in the country concerned, and the inherent capabilities of peacekeepers.11 But as we have seen, the United Nations, like any other bureaucracy, has its share of problems.
Through his experiences in rehabilitation-oriented field work, Professor Moore at the John F. Kennedy School of Government makes the following observations and recommendations regarding the relationship between peace-building and peacekeeping:
- When peacekeeping forces are involved in peace-building (in the early ‘natural interface’ between security and rehabilitation tasks), their efforts seem to have the greatest effect. For example: providing security and logistical support for humanitarian and developmental activities; repair of light infrastructure including roads, bridges, clinics, schools; de-mining; disarming and demobilizing.
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Ahmad Rashady
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Nice! Yambwa, Nziya Jean-Pierre | Jun 17th, 2004
A very comprehensive explanation on peacebuilding and peacekeeping. Well detailed and useful for peacebuilders
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