How Effectively has the UN and Regional Organizations Cooperated in the Maintenance of International Peace and Security?

Abstract

Under the UN Charter, the Security Council has the primary responsibility of the maintenance of international peace and security. This is however not an exclusive right as the General Assembly under Art.11 can also discuss matters relating to the maintenance of peace and security provided it acts within the limits imposed by Art.12. Under Chapter VIII of the Charter, regional organizations have the competence to deal with matters relating to the maintenance of international peace and security as are appropriate for regional action, provided their activities are consistent with the purposes and principles of the UN. This chapter also lays down the legal framework for the relationship between the Security Council and regional organizations in the maintenance of international peace and security. This paper shall attempt to critically discuss how effectively the UN and regional organizations have cooperated in the maintenance of international peace and security by initially defining the concept of regional organization under Article 52, by discussing Art.53 with particular emphasis on enforcement action under Chapter VIII and finally by looking at the effectiveness of the relationship between the security council and regional organizations in the field of maintenance of international peace and security.