Progress and Pitfalls of “Peace-Building”

in Afghanistan continues....

The ideal aims of the UN is to seek to identify at the earliest possible stage,

situations that could produce conflict, and to try through diplomacy to remove the sources of danger before violence results; where conflict erupts, to engage in peacemaking aimed at resolving the issues that have led to conflict; through peace-keeping, to work to preserve peace, however fragile, where fighting has been halted and to assist in implementing agreements achieved by the peacemakers; to stand ready to assist in peace-building in its differing contexts: rebuilding the

institutions and infrastructures of nations torn by civil war and strife; and

building bonds of peaceful mutual benefit among nations formerly at war.

The emphasis of the United Nations has been on structural transformation, with a primary focus on institutional reform. It involves bringing together institutions and other actors involved in development,

security, human rights, politics and other fields so that they can work together towards common goals.

As post-conflict situations differ greatly, contextual variables such as the nature of conflict and the methods of its settlement have differing effects in particular contexts.

The duration and priorities of implementation activities vary according to the divisiveness of groups, the extent of economic and social destruction and the role of external actors.

More serious political and social challenges are expected where there is a

combination of political rivalry, economic collapse, radical changes in ethnic boundaries, and malfunction of the central government such as in Somalia and the Balkans.

A comparative analysis of South Africa, Bosnia and Rwanda suggests that the methods for ending violent conflict

(through negotiated settlement or military victory) have an impact on post-conflict political configurations (such as a majority rule, carving up territorial divisions, ethnic or racial hegemony through control of military and state institutions).

Thus, challenges to peace-building stem from the fact that a significant part of the constituents may not support the

negotiated solutions. In fact, peace agreements do not necessarily result in

an outcome that satisfies everyone’s interests.

To be continued....