THE CONSEQUENCES OF HUMANITARIAN PEACEKEEPING IN AFRICA

• Main Author: Rialize Ferreira
• Format: Article
• Language: Afrikaans
• Published: Stellenbosch University 2011-08-01
• Series: Scientia Militaria
• Online Access: http://scientiamilitaria.journals.ac.za/pub/article/view/67

Owing to the changing nature of international conflict, the 1990s witnessed a<br />growing need for humanitarian peacekeeping operations, especially in Africa. The<br />reluctance of the United Nations to be involved in peacekeeping operations in Africa<br />compelled South Africa to take part in peacekeeping to assist neighbouring conflictridden<br />states. There is, however, a discrepancy between the conceptualisation and<br />application of peacekeeping and peace-enforcement operations. This notion is<br />manifest in the changing nature of post-Cold War conflicts and requisite strategies,<br />doctrines and operational procedures to execute these operations. A shift in South<br />African defence policy was necessary to accommodate an expanded mandate to<br />make provision for African peacekeeping missions. These humanitarian missions<br />unfortunately also have unintended, latent consequences for the host populations,<br />which can harm the peace operations as such.<br />The aim of this article is to investigate traditional peacekeeping shifting to<br />peace-building as a manifest, intended consequence and the way in which<br />unintended, latent consequences of peacekeeping come about.