As the end of the relatively clear conflict situations of the cold war era has given space for dramatic changes, we are now facing a widespread and more unpredictable security situation than some years ago. In December 2004, the UN concluded, that
“We cannot treat issues such as terrorism or civil wars or extreme poverty in isolation. The implications of this interconnectedness are profound. Our strategies must be comprehensive. Our institutions must overcome their narrow preoccupations and learn to work across issues in a concerted fashion.”
The last two decades have seen a dramatic increase in internal conflicts and instability, forcing the United Nations to rethink its definitions of peace and security.
Peace keeping missions, often referred as intervention according to chapter 6 ½, as Dag Hammerskjöld has put it, have gradually increased, both in number and dimension.
The complexity of internal conflicts and their dramatic social, humanitarian and economic consequences for societies remain a challenge for the United Nations. Step by step, the United Nations broadened their perception, and peace operations became multidimensional interventions, including military and police components as well as NGOs and other civil actors.
As almost half of the post-conflict countries relapse into violent conflict within five years, one has to question some reasons. This paper deals mainly with the interdependent issue of security within the peace-building process, focusing on the case of Sierra Leone.
My thesis is, that, besides questions of the coordination of efforts and the gap between traditional peace keeping and peace-building, there is also a lack, concerning the short- to mid-term security of post-conflict states. Due to the bad economic position and the disturbed social structure of these post-conflict states and despite massive efforts in the economic and social sector as well as in the security sector, there is a certain period of insecurity until a state can ensure its stability both, internally and externally, on its own. This “security gap” normally appears after the withdrawal of the peacekeepers.
I have chosen the case of Sierra Leone as an example, because of its model like character of a complex internal conflict and the UN response. Furthermore, it demonstrates, that even if relatively concerted measures have been undertaken, the fragility of a post-conflict state, and therefore the unsolved question of a lack of security, remain.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Evolution of peace operations toward multidimensional peace-building
3. The conflict in Sierra Leone and its consequences
3.1. A short historical overview:
3.2. Structure of conflict
3.3. Post-conflict situation in Sierra Leone
4. The UN response
4.1. UNAMSIL
4.1.1. The security gap
4.2. UNIOSIL and the Peace-building commission
4.2.1. UNIOSIL
4.2.2. The UN peace-building commission
5. Proposals
6. Conclusion:
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the existence of a "security gap" in post-conflict states, specifically analyzing the peace-building process in Sierra Leone after the withdrawal of international peacekeeping forces. The central research question investigates whether the international community's recent interventions and strategies are sufficient to bridge the short- to mid-term security vacuum that leaves fragile states vulnerable to renewed conflict.
- Evolution of UN peacekeeping missions into multidimensional peace-building operations.
- Root causes and conflict structure of the civil war in Sierra Leone.
- Assessment of the UN response through missions like UNAMSIL and UNIOSIL.
- Challenges within the security sector and the persistence of the security gap.
- Strategic proposals to address mid-term stability and security needs.
Excerpt from the Book
4.1.1. The security gap
Where is the gap, one is supposed to ask. The case of Sierra Leone looks like a model of a peacekeeping/peacebuilding mission.
When UNAMSIL left the country, claiming that, “the Mission had completed most of the tasks the Council had assigned to it” 34,one has to be fully confident, from a legal point of view as well as from an official side..
Lets take a look behind the curtain.
As the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has recently completed its work, four major root causes have been identified as future challenges to tackle for the government: poverty, corruption, lack of justice, disrespect for human rights
Despite the efforts mentioned above, Sierra Leone is still facing a dramatic economic situation35, according to the World Bank’s list of “30 low income states under stress” and the DFID’s list of 46 failed states36.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter contextualizes the shift in UN peacekeeping toward multidimensional peace-building in response to the changing nature of internal conflicts and the resulting security threats.
2. Evolution of peace operations toward multidimensional peace-building: This section provides a historical overview of how UN missions have evolved from simple buffer-monitoring ceasefires to complex, robust operations addressing state-building and security sector reform.
3. The conflict in Sierra Leone and its consequences: This chapter analyzes the historical origins, the role of resource struggle, and the devastating socio-economic aftermath of the Sierra Leone civil war.
4. The UN response: This chapter details the operational mandates of UNAMSIL and UNIOSIL, evaluating their effectiveness in disarmament, demobilization, and the ongoing struggle to maintain civil order and security.
5. Proposals: This chapter argues for more robust measures to address the mid-term security gap, suggesting potential roles for private security companies and the expansion of police support capacities.
6. Conclusion:: This chapter synthesizes the main findings, reiterating that while UN interventions have improved, a critical security gap persists that threatens the long-term sustainability of peace.
Keywords
Sierra Leone, UNAMSIL, UNIOSIL, Peace-building, Peacekeeping, Security Gap, Security Sector Reform, Post-conflict, Internal Conflict, Disarmament, Demobilization, Reintegration, Civil War, United Nations, Humanitarian Aid
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the "security gap" that emerges in post-conflict societies after the withdrawal of international peacekeeping forces, using Sierra Leone as a primary case study.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
Key themes include the evolution of UN peace operations, the specific challenges of rebuilding Sierra Leone, the role of international security sector reform, and the effectiveness of political missions like UNIOSIL.
What is the central research question?
The research asks whether current international community strategies are sufficient to maintain stability and prevent the relapse of post-conflict states into violence during the critical transition period.
Which scientific methods are utilized?
The author utilizes an analytical, case-study based approach, drawing on UN reports, institutional documentation, and secondary academic literature on peace-building and conflict resolution.
What is the primary focus of the main body?
The main body evaluates the operational history of UNAMSIL and UNIOSIL, examines the root causes of the Sierra Leone conflict, and critically analyzes the persistent security shortcomings despite massive international investment.
Which keywords best describe the paper?
The most relevant keywords include Security Gap, Peace-building, UNAMSIL, Sierra Leone, Security Sector Reform, and Post-conflict stabilization.
How does the author characterize the 'security gap'?
The author defines the security gap as the dangerous period of instability that persists after the departure of peacekeepers, fueled by endemic poverty, weak judicial frameworks, and the inability of local police forces to ensure nationwide security.
What role does the Peacebuilding Commission play?
The Commission is identified as an advisory body intended to improve coordination, though the author questions its actual ability to address immediate security needs on the ground.
Are private security companies considered a viable solution?
The author discusses them as a potential, albeit controversial, way to fill the security gap where national forces remain insufficient, citing their professional experience in other conflict zones.
- Quote paper
- A. Fritsch (Author), 2007, The remaining security gap , Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/84363
