New Frontiers In Multifunctional Peacekeeping: Case Studies Of Somalia And Namibia

Abstract

This study set out to establish how successful multifunctional peacekeeping operations have been by assessing the accomplishment of the UN mandate for specific operations and the adequacy of such operations in conflict resolution with emphasis on internal conflicts by determining the recurrence or continuation of the conflict or its resolution. The study is guided by the following key objectives: One; to examine the multifunctional approach to peacekeeping operations as the best solution to resolve conflicts, particularly in internal conflicts and two; to find out why the multifunctional peacekeeping operations in Namibia succeeded, but failed in helping resolve the conflicts in Somalia. It was established that while it can be insisted that there are certain underlying elements and principles common to all such missions, it must be noted that each conflict evolves within a certain specific historical context. Consequently, while emphasizing the commonalities in the approach of different multifunctional missions to different conflict situations it must be borne in mind the uniqueness of each particular conflict and tailor the mission to accommodate such uniqueness; not the conflict to be transformed to fit the parameters envisioned by the mission, as was the case in Somalia. That is the only way that the new approach will be able to build sustainable peace. It was therefore recommended that future U.N. forays into Chapter VII peace enforcement must take account of the potential incompatibility of mediating and peace enforcement responsibilities. It does seem from the Somalia experience that the mandate of peace enforcement under Chapter VII of the UN Charter is mutually exclusive from a simultaneous mediation role. This is because one of the parties to the conflict, which has been a target of enforcement action, perceives the UN as partial. Secondly, there is also need for the UN to devise a strategy for implementing the resolutions of the Security Council in a timely and ordered manner that avoids a situation whereby contingents from several countries arrive at different times. As the Namibian and Somalia case illustrate late deployment of personnel can lead to disaster