The United Nations Peacekeeping Operations in Africa essays

The United Nations Peacekeeping Operations in Africa essays United Nations Peacekeeping is based on the principle that an impartial presence of the United Nations (UN) on the ground can ease tensions and allow negotiated solutions in a conflict situation. Known widely as "blue helmets" or "blue berets," United Nations peacekeepers have patrolled buffer zones between hostile parties, monitored ceasefires, and helped defuse local conflicts, allowing the search for enduring political settlements to continue (UN Peacekeeping, Preface). Recent years have, however, seen major changes in the number and nature of conflicts brought before the UN. The post-cold war period has been characterized by a proliferation of civil wars and other armed conflicts within States, which threaten regional, national, and international peace and security. In response to the changing nature of global conflict, the role of UN Peacekeeping, too, has evolved to a more complex operation involving military, civilian police, and other civilian personnel. With a mandate to help create political institutions and broaden their base, the UN today works alongside governments, non-governmental organizations, and local citizen's groups to provide emergency relief, demobilize former fighters and reintegrate them into society, clear mines, organize and conduct elections and promote sustainable developmental practices (UN Peacekeeping, An Evolving Technique). Currently, the one continent where UN Peacekeeping operates extensively is Africa given the increasing number of inter and intra-state conflicts in that part of the world. Indeed, the extent of the troubles in Africa is evidenced by the fact that "the security council's schedule for March will be dominated by African issues, especially efforts to guarantee stability in the western part of the continent." (UN News Center, Mar. 2004) Africa occupying center stage with the UN Security Council is not surprising given i...