The League of Nations and subsequently the United Nations were major milestones in the history of global peace. The idea behind these institutions was modern and necessary. Thenceforth, the international community agreed on rules governing International Humanitarian Law and peace keeping strategies under the supervision of the United Nations. Given the magnitude of its mission, numerous expectations are laid on this international institution. However, the UN has proven to adopt a ‘learning-on-the-go’ stance when it comes to conflict resolution and peacekeeping.
This paper gives a detailed analysis of what are deemed the ‘best’ and the ‘worst’ cases in the history of conflict resolution and peace building mission, namely United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone and United Nations Mission in Rwanda (UNAMIR). It equally analyses the determinant factors that led to both outcomes. This analysis concludes by questioning the ability of United Nations and its agencies to maintain global peace.
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
2. FROM UNOMSIL TO UNAMSIL: A TRIUMPHANT SUCCESS OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION
3. FROM UNOMUR TO UNAMIR: A SHAME TO BE SILENCED
4. ANALYSIS AND COMPARISON
4.1 FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THE SUCCESS OF UNAMSIL AND THE FAILURE OF UNAMIR
5. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
Target Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the evolution and effectiveness of United Nations peacekeeping missions by conducting a comparative analysis of two contrasting case studies: the success of the mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) and the failure of the mission in Rwanda (UNAMIR). The central research goal is to identify the determinant factors that lead to success or failure in international conflict resolution and to assess the current relevance and capabilities of the United Nations in maintaining global peace amid contemporary, complex conflicts.
- Evolution of conflict resolution strategies and the historical role of the UN.
- Detailed comparative study of the Sierra Leone peace process versus the Rwandan genocide.
- Assessment of institutional limitations, bureaucratic challenges, and foreign interests in intervention.
- Analysis of peacekeeping mandates, military competence, and coordination effectiveness.
- The role of regional organizations in modern conflict management and the necessity for UN reform.
Excerpt from the Book
Factors that contributed to the success of UNAMSIL and the failure of UNAMIR
The main similarity that cuts across both cases is the negotiation processes attempted by external parties and regional organizations. In the first stages of the conflicts, there were diplomatic moves to calm both parties and the outcome was the proposal for a merger government. The clauses of the Lome Agreement and the Arusha Accord are very similar in that. Further, the aftermath of negotiations and agreements was characterized by the worsening of the situation with more violence used and abuse of human rights skyrocketing. However, this marks the turning point that makes one case successful and the other unsuccessful. These factors can be assessed as follows;
The amount of violence. In Sierra Leone, though the level of violence was high and caused the deaths of hundreds, only a limited amount of violence was utilized. By contrast, the militia in Rwanda used full-scale violence with thousands of people killed daily. There was no consideration for human rights or human life. The end game was a genocide with about 800000 men, women and children losing their lives. Added to that, other countries were even more reluctant to send their troops after Belgian peacekeepers were slaughtered by militia when they tried to protect the weak civilians.
Competence in peacemaking and conflict management. The intervention of well-equipped British troops along with the combined forces of ECOMOG and the United Nations peacekeepers in Sierra Leone gave a better chance at containing the conflict and reducing casualties. The peacekeepers were skilled and well-armed to carry out their mandate. On the other hand, the international community expressed outright reluctance at providing any aid or troops to Rwanda. A pool of roughly 2500 peacekeepers sent were poorly armed and trained. Most of those sent had no training in conflict analysis, mediation skills, negotiation skills and reconciliation.
Summary of Chapters
INTRODUCTION: This chapter introduces the theoretical concepts of peace and conflict resolution, highlighting the shift from inter-state conflicts to modern, protracted internal violence.
FROM UNOMSIL TO UNAMSIL: A TRIUMPHANT SUCCESS OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION: This chapter traces the progression of the UN mission in Sierra Leone, analyzing how an initial observer mission evolved into a successful, large-scale peacekeeping operation.
FROM UNOMUR TO UNAMIR: A SHAME TO BE SILENCED: This chapter examines the collapse of the mission in Rwanda, framing it as a critical failure of the international community to prevent genocide due to inadequate mandates and conflicting foreign interests.
ANALYSIS AND COMPARISON: This chapter provides a critical evaluation of why the Sierra Leone mission succeeded where the Rwanda mission failed, focusing on violence levels, military competence, and mandate strength.
FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THE SUCCESS OF UNAMSIL AND THE FAILURE OF UNAMIR: This section details the specific operational, political, and strategic differences identified between the two case studies.
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: This chapter reflects on the lessons learned from both missions, advocating for significant UN reform and the integration of regional organizations into future peacebuilding frameworks.
Keywords
United Nations, Peacekeeping, Peace Building, Conflict Resolution, Reconciliation, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, UNAMSIL, UNAMIR, Humanitarian Intervention, Fourth Generation Peacekeeping, Conflict Management, Peace Agreement, Security Council, International Law
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this research paper?
The paper explores the effectiveness of the United Nations in international conflict resolution by comparing the successful peace mission in Sierra Leone with the tragic failure of the peacekeeping mission in Rwanda.
What are the primary thematic areas addressed in the work?
The major themes include the evolution of conflict types, the role of international humanitarian law, the operational challenges of peacekeeping mandates, and the influence of foreign geopolitical interests.
What is the core research question?
The author questions whether the United Nations and its agencies possess the necessary capacity and structural efficiency to effectively maintain global peace in the face of modern, violent internal conflicts.
Which scientific methods are utilized for this analysis?
The paper employs a comparative case study methodology, utilizing historical review, document analysis, and the evaluation of mandate implementation to differentiate between successful and unsuccessful interventions.
What does the main body of the text cover?
It covers the historical context of the conflicts in Sierra Leone and Rwanda, the progression of UN interventions (UNOMSIL, UNAMSIL, UNAMIR), and a systematic comparison of variables such as troop competence and mandate robustness.
Which keywords characterize this document?
Key terms include United Nations, peacekeeping, conflict resolution, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, humanitarian intervention, and the concept of Fourth Generation Peacekeeping.
Why did the mission in Rwanda fail compared to the mission in Sierra Leone?
The author attributes the failure in Rwanda to an inadequate mandate, poorly trained and ill-equipped troops, the lack of international political will, and the direct influence of competing foreign interests, unlike the more robustly supported mission in Sierra Leone.
What significance does the author assign to regional organizations?
Regional organizations like ECOWAS are presented as increasingly essential players that complement or sometimes supersede the UN's efforts, suggesting a shift toward a more decentralized model of international peace enforcement.
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- Manuella Mekondo (Autor:in), 2022, Theories of Conflict Generation, Conflict Resolution and Post-conflict Peacebuilding. Sierra Leone vs. Rwanda, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1302752
