THE ROLE OF UNITED NATIONS IN INTRASTATE CONFLICT MANAGEMENT DURING THE POST COLD WAR PERIOD

Abstract

This study examines the whole of United Nations in intrastate conflict management in the post-Cold War period. It is necessitated by the following factors: Arising incidences of intrastate war being threats to International Peace and Security, the marginalization of Africa which is the theatre of many of these intrastate conflicts. The study also looks at the historical development of the League of Nations and the United Nations. It then examines the role of the UN in intrastate conflict in Africa using the examples of Somali, Sierra Leone and Rwanda in particular. The study reaches the following conclusions and recommendations: Conclusions The study found out that lack of participation by all stakeholders leads to unsuccessful conflict management. In the case of Somalia, UNITAF and UNOSOM applied pure hard power and this did not help in the intermediary efforts. This made conflict management in Somalia difficult and as a result, the conflict has been prolonged. Participation by all stakeholders leads to successful conflict management. The Sierra Leone was successful because all the stakeholders participated. The government of Sierra Leone together with RUF allowed the UN to mediate in the political problems that country was going through. All the stakeholders worked together to ensure that the Lomé Peace Accord was signed thus leading to restoration of peace in the country. This brought an end to the civil war that took place in 1991-1999.