The Politics of Peacekeeping in Africa:a Case Study of Oau in Chad 1981-1982 and Ecomog in Liberia 1990- 1997

Abstract

This study examines the politics of peacekeeping in Africa, by evaluating and highlighting the challenges, problems, prospects and ramifications of the peacekeeping missions in Africa. In the process the study examines the structures of UN peacekeeping in Africa, concepts, capacities, operations and empirical challenges of peacekeeping missions in Africa. The study uses the African regional peacekeeping missions, the OAU in Chad and the sub regional peacekeeping mission, the ECOMOG in Liberia, to underpin and evaluate those political challenges experienced by these two missions and how they affected their overall achievement of their missions. The study establishes that regional peacekeeping missions in Africa are still in their infancy and require support from the international community, in order to fully achieve their objectives in peacekeeping and peace building in Africa.