The End of Traditional Peacekeeping: A New Era of Preventive Diplomacy

Strategic Insights -

As traditional United Nations peacekeeping methods become increasingly ineffective, the world is witnessing a shift towards preventive diplomacy. Major-General Romeo Dallaire's report to UN Secretary-General Dr. Boutros Ghali highlights the need for a new approach to conflict resolution. Dallaire, who commanded the UN observer mission in Rwanda during the genocidal massacres, argues that the UN cannot manage crises with the current tools and mandate. His report suggests that the UN is no longer equipped to handle the challenges of peacekeeping, and that a standing army is unlikely to be established.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UN's traditional peacekeeping methods are failing, with the Bosnia mission being a prime example of this.
  • General Dallaire's report highlights the limitations of UN peacekeeping, citing the lack of mandate and firepower to intervene effectively.
  • The report questions whether the UN can continue to serve as a crisis manager, given its current structure and resources.
  • Preventive diplomacy is emerging as a new approach to conflict resolution, with the Americans proposing the resurrection of the Organisation of African Unity to identify potential conflicts in Africa.
  • Regional powers such as France, Britain, and South Africa are considering training African peacekeeping forces, with South Africa willing to work with its neighbors on diplomacy, monitoring, and observing.
  • The regional Ecomog force in West Africa has been struggling to secure peace in Liberia, with its neutrality being compromised by the interests of its member states.

Statistics:

  • 2500: The number of UN troops in Rwanda before the cut by the Security Council.
  • 270: The number of UN troops remaining in Rwanda after the cut.
  • 20: The number of local UN staff dragged off to death before the eyes of the UN soldiers.
  • 10: The number of regional peacekeeping forces in existence, including Ecomog outside of Bosnia.

Sources:

  • Major-General Romeo Dallaire's report to UN Secretary-General Dr. Boutros Ghali.
  • Mr. Marrack Goulding's opposition to UN intervention in Bosnia, as reported in the Independent.
  • Mr. Malcolm Rifkind's statement on the paramount need to protect the safety of British and UN troops in Bosnia, as reported in the Independent.
  • The Organisation of African Unity's proposal to identify potential conflicts in Africa.
  • The French, British, and South African consideration to train African peacekeeping forces.
  • Ecomog's struggles to secure peace in Liberia, as reported in the Independent.