Nicaragua – the Role of the United Nations Observer Group in Central America (ONUCA) in the Central American Peace Process

Abstract

This article analyzes the role of the UN Observer Group in Central America (ONUCA) in terms of the dimensions of the SWORD model (also known as the Manwaring Paradigm). The focus of the article is on Nicaragua. After a brief historical introduction, it relates the activities of ONUCA in Nicaragua before addressing the impact of each dimension of the model. While concluding that ONUCA was largely successful in responding to its mandate, the article ends with a more ambiguous assessment of Nicaragua's future.