Lehmann-Larsen, S: Beyond Impartial Peacekeeping in Africa?

This work is driven by the question whether it is possible for regional organisations and the United Nations (UN) to maintain the international value of impartiality in robust peacekeeping operations in Africa. It assumes that unless the UN manages to establish a conceptual framework to cooperate with regional organisations, peacekeepers will abandon impartial conduct by default. Regional organisations seem to offer certain advantages in carrying out regional conflict management tasks, however, one of the most significantly criticisms of the regional peacekeeping efforts have been partiality. The study makes the case for a strong rationalisation of peacekeeping and preferably a cross frontier formalisation of peacekeeping principles and practices. At the same time it emphasises that the flexibility presently in place, though not necessarily purposely done, is not necessarily negative. The study concludes that the regional organisation needs strengthening in terms of UN commitment to their successful development. Therefore, it concludes that a complementary role by the UN is seen as the way forward for regional as well as global conflict resolution.