Ethnic Conflict and UN Peacekeeping Operations in Cote d’Ivoire

Abstract

The article critically examines the effectiveness of the UN (peacekeeping) Operation mission in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI). In doing so, it elucidates the challenges associated with employing Chapter VI and Chapter VII (i.e., non-military coercion [Article 41] and forcible military action [Article 42] to resolve the ethnic conflict amongst the disputed parties. In particular, it considers the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) as ‘forcible military action’ and argues that the implication of the framework has resulted in effective peace enforcement (i.e., UNOCI completed its mandate in June 2017). The article also illuminates several underlying factors that led to violent conflict eruption in Côte d'Ivoire. The analysis has been presented through the Hourglass model and conflict triangle to realize the engagement of R2P encompassing relevant stakeholders for sustained peace in a conflict-ridden country.