Regional Peace Support Initiatives in Capacity Building: Case Study of the International Peace Support Training Centre

Abstract

Modern peace support operations are a response to the shift from inter to intra state conflict encompassing complex mandates in volatile, polarized, distressed and dysfunctional environment. Additionally, the new mandates whether in Darfur or DRC include the protection of civilians as a core tasks under Chapter VII of the UN charter creating new challenges hence the need for capacity building for the personnel engaged in this noble cause. This study investigates the role and contribution of the regional peace support initiatives in capacity building USing the International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC) as a case study. According to liberal thinking, contemporary democracies have reasons to participate In operations with a democratic or humanitarian appeal. Democracies draw legitimacy, in large part, from liberal principles and that democratic leaders can export liberal practices and pursue humanitarian objectives. Liberal theory also supports the assumption that democracies share an interest in creating economic, political, and security conditions in which peace, prosperity, and democracy can thrive hence engage in peacekeeping intervention. The study used interviews and questionnaires. The study established that IPSTC does engage in capacity building for civilians, police and military in preparation for deployment in any peace mission whether sponsored by the United Nations or the African Union but there remains room for enhancing the quality and quantity of participants in the future.