Peacekeeping Research Articles

The Declining Role of Nigeria As Africa’s Peacekeeper in the UN Security Council

ABSTRACT Africa is the epicenter of conflict in the world. Seven of the 12 current United Nations peacekeeping operations are in Africa, and 80% of its peacekeepers are deployed on the continent. Nigeria is one of the largest troops contributing countries to the UN. This article interrogates Nigeria’s peacekeeping role in Africa and its voting pattern at the Council. Founded on unstructured interviews, it offers deep insight into Nigeria’s leadership role in conflict resolution and peacekeeping during the 2010/2011 and 2014/2015 tenures. Nigeria has declined in influence and is unable to provide the robust conflict resolution that Africa needs.

China’s Role in the UN Peacekeeping Operations in Africa

China’s Role in the UN Peacekeeping Operations in Africa

Compatibility as a pivotal design factor for digital concierge apps: exploring hotel guests’ socio-psychological dynamics

PurposeThis paper addresses a crucial research need by examining the influence of compatibility, a pivotal design element for hotel concierge apps, on the socio-psychological dynamics of digital hotel guests. While prior research has examined the constructs, their application to digital concierge apps introduces a unique context. We posit that compatibility significantly influences central variables rooted in theory of planned behaviors (TPBs) and technology acceptance model (TAM), fostering positive usage intentions.Design/methodology/approachAnalyzing data from 668 four-star hotel guests through PLS-SEM substantiates compatibility’s role, endorsing the theoretical amalgamation of affordance, TPB, and TAM frameworks.FindingsCompatibility positively affected perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and attitude toward behavior. Besides, usage intention positively affected willingness to pay a price premium and revisit intention.Originality/valueThis paper adopts compatibility as a unifying force for integrating TPB and TAM; the predictive ability of digital concierges' usage intentions on revisit intentions to upscale hotels. Further, this paper is the first attempt to highlight employing compatibility as a pivotal design factor for digital concierge apps in the hospitality setting.

Sexual Violence Against Men in Civil Conflict

Sexual violence against men in conflict settings is neither a rare nor recent phenomenon, yet its absence in academic scholarship and humanitarian initiatives remains glaring. Despite the advances in our understanding of the determinants of wartime sexual violence against women, surprisingly little empirical research exists on sexual violence against men in conflict. Acts of sexual violence are commonly enacted against men in war, yet because they do not fit more narrow definitions of rape, accounts of these experiences are often misclassified as “torture.” Moreover, in many countries experiencing pervasive conflict-related sexual violence, there exist restrictive laws regarding sodomy and homosexuality, reducing the chances that males will report their experiences. Using originally coded data on sexual and gender identity laws and reported incidents of sexual violence in civil conflict, I find that laws that outline the protection of sexual and gender identity expression including the decriminalization of same-sex activity are significantly associated with reports of acts of sexual violence against men. The results speak to the gap in the literature on male sexual violence with tangible consequences for the distribution of humanitarian aid, availability of medical and psychological services for victims, and aims of peacekeeping missions.

Fostering Inclusivity in Peacekeeping

The United Nations Peacekeeping operations involve a diverse array of stakeholders on the decision-making and enforcement side, ranging from senior officials to troops and civilian personnel, whose backgrounds and perspectives significantly impact mission effectiveness. Gender considerations within recruitment does form an important part of UN’s engagement especially within its foundational mandate of Women, Peace, and Security as outlined in United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325. Intersectionality along with cultural contexts within host countries further complicate the recruitment process. Furthermore, while the deliberate inclusion of women is advocated, it often leads to reinforcing stereotypical roles and ‘side streaming; of gender rather than genuine ‘mainstreaming; practices. This paper examines the interconnected challenges of gender stereotypes, cultural understanding, and diversity and inclusivity in peacekeeping recruitment. It argues for a strategic, asset-based, inclusive approach to recruitment and deployment of female peacekeepers, coupled with enhanced cultural sensitivity. Drawing on existing literature and examples, the paper proposes policy recommendations aimed at fostering effective peacekeeping without reinforcing gender stereotypes.

Stabilisation measures on the de-occupied territories: conceptual interpretation, classification, and application features

The publication provides a scientific analysis of the “stabilisation measures” concept which has recently been used to determine the specifics of public authorities and law enforcement agencies' activities on the de-occupied territories of our country. It has been proved that the concept of “stabilisation measures” arose in the course of NATO peacekeeping operations in the Balkans and is primarily associated with law enforcement activities of specially authorised military units capable of performing police functions. According to NATO’s Joint Doctrine (AJP-3.22), stabilisation measures are defined as special activities aimed at strengthening or providing temporary replacement for local police forces to help restore and/or maintain public order and security, the rule of law and the protection of human rights.
 It is emphasised that the understanding of the content of stabilisation measures in national and foreign practice is different. Foreign researchers mainly associate stabilisation measures with law enforcement actions: ensuring public order and security, combating crime, protecting civilians, etc. In our country, a broader interpretation of the term has been formed, which, in addition to purely police measures, includes social, humanitarian, informational, and economic measures that cover the comprehensive restoration and development of the de-occupied territories.
 It is proposed to divide stabilisation measures into general and special ones. The first type is related to the restoration of state power on the de-occupied territory, as well as to ensuring the vital activity of its civilian population. Special stabilisation measures are carried out to prevent sabotage and reconnaissance groups and illegal armed groups from entering the de-occupied territory and committing terrorist acts on infrastructure and communications facilities, ensuring public safety and order, preventing and suppressing crimes and other offences, eliminating the consequences of emergencies, and searching for persons who have committed crimes against the foundations of national security, war crimes and other offences during the occupation of the territory.
 The number of conceptual provisions on the interpretation of the definition, purpose, principles, types and peculiarities of application of stabilisation measures in Ukraine have been formulated.

Peacebuilding, peacekeeping, and the ‘balance of bureaucratic power’ in Kofi Annan’s Secretariat: a micro-history of two United Nations departments

ABSTRACT This article reviews the interplay of bureaucratic, power-political, and conceptual challenges that affected the UN Secretariat during the tenure of Kofi Annan (1996–2006). Through fresh sources – including the diaries and private papers of the late Sir Marrack Goulding – it considers the case of the two largest and most influential administrative units in New York in charge of peace missions, the Department of Political Affairs (DPA) and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). It argues that the reason for their notoriously conflictual relationship goes beyond bureaucratic rivalries and involves a host of systemic factors – including technocratic rationality, great powers influence over the Secretariat, UN financing, and the porous borders between peacekeeping and peacebuilding. These factors affected the ‘balance of bureaucratic power’ in New York, a balance which under Annan shifted from DPA and peacebuilding towards DPKO and peacekeeping, and which the reforms of Ban and Guterres have not fundamentally altered.

Mediation for Misdemeanor Assault

ABSTRACT Crime reduction strategies over the past 30 years have greatly expanded the criminalization of a wide variety of minor offenses, especially in communities of color, even as violence continues to damage individuals, families, and communities. Solutions that reduce both violence and over-criminalization are urgently needed. Community-based mediation for diversion of misdemeanor assault cases has been practiced since the 1970s, but little is known about its ability to prevent further violence between participants or reduce assault recidivism. From a state judiciary’s quasi-experimental longitudinal comparison group study of criminal court mediation recidivism, assault cases (n = 162) were isolated and analyzed using bivariate tests and logistic regression with inverse proportion of treatment weighting. Misdemeanor assault cases handled with community-based mediation had a small and statistically non-significant association with return to court at 6 months versus cases handled with usual court processes. Had assaults between couples been excluded, recidivism for mediation cases would have been one-third the rate of those treated as usual. Mediation centers and local prosecutors’ offices could improve screening for intimate partner violence and divert more cases earlier via police and court commissioners. Research with a dependent variable of self-reported violence would be best suited to understanding the ability of community mediation to meet its founding mission of community-created peace.

Legal Aspect in Peace Keeping Operation and Nepal

The United Nations (UN) Charter is the constitution of the UN, that underpins the operational framework of the UN, encompassing the peacekeeping mission to create conditions for lasting peace in conflict-torn countries. Nepal involved in all peace initiatives taken by the UN and largest troop contributor to the UN peacekeeping missions carrying the beacon of peace in the world initiated by Nepal’s enlightened son, Gautam Buddha. This study aims to identify the legal basis of the UN peacekeeping operations implied in the UN Charter and other international law concerning the influence of Buddha’s teaching of peace and non-violence on the global norms of peace. This study also aims to analyze Nepal’s adherence to human rights law and humanitarian law, as well as the legal aspects of Nepal’s participation in UN peacekeeping operations. Methodologically, the study follows a doctrinal approach, focusing on the examination of legal doctrines. The researcher draws upon multilateral conventions, resolutions of the General Assembly and Security Council, decisions of the International Court of Justice, reports, Nepal’s correspondence to the UN, speeches by the Nepali delegation in the UN General Assembly, Nepali laws related to UN peacekeeping, and journal articles as sources of data. This paper argues that as a birthplace of Buddha, Nepal needs to negotiate with the UN to expand its role in securing policy-level and command-level positions in UN peace initiatives, enabling it to contribute more to enhance the legal norms for peacekeeping operations with oriental knowledge of world peace.

Examining the Role and Perception of Nepali Peacekeepers in Nepal’s Foreign Policy Narratives

In the mid of July, a few Members of the Parliament proposed the idea of downsizing the Nepali Army as one of the measures to decrease public spending. But this is not the first time that such debate has stirred in the Nepalese political stratum. The topic of downsizing the Nepalese Army has been reiterated from time to time in the higher echelons of the Nepali government, most notably following the Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA). At the national level, The Nepal Army as an institution has been deployed since centuries for to accomplish a wide array of functions. On the international front, the Nepbat has been deployed in UN Peacekeeping missions since 1958 in war-prone regions and is largely regarded as a highly competent battalion of proven caliber. Nepal Army's global exposure and experience as such have also refined the institution's conflict resolution and crisis management skills. But despite such positive global acknowledgment and the rich experience that the Nepal Army has garnered, the deliberations regarding the utilization of their insights and experiences in Nepal’s foreign policy discourse seem to have been kept at an arm's length. To identify the role of the Nepali Army in promoting the value of world peace as enshrined in the Nepalese Constitution, this article has intended to investigate the level of recognition and influence of their insights in Nepal's foreign policy discourse. This qualitative study based on both primary and secondary data and process tracing and interview methods, identified that the imbalances in the state's priorities have led to the skills of Nepali peacekeepers from their global exposure being kept under the radar. The study has then suggested some of the possibilities for incorporating military expertise into Nepal's foreign policy discourse.

In Pursuit of Excellence: Analysing the Indispensable Nature of Conduct and Discipline of Nepali Army in UN Peace Support Missions

Nepal is currently ranked 2nd among the Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) in United Nations Peace Support Operations. In this context, this paper examines the contribution of the Nepali Army's military conduct and discipline to the effectiveness of UN Peace Support Missions. The theoretical foundations delve into pertinent theories, particularly emphasizing Kevin S. Donohue's concepts of Discipline A (voluntary, value-based Attitudes) and Discipline B (externally enforced Behavioral responses) within the military framework. Maintaining conduct and discipline in UN peace operations is essential for ensuring the credibility and legitimacy of these missions. Therefore, prior UN reports and the Secretary General's Special Bulletin from 2015 to 2022 are comparatively analyzed to reflect on occurrences of misconduct involving peacekeepers from TCCs. Likewise, a quantitative comparative analysis assesses the status of the Nepali Army in terms of military conduct analyzing the rate of allegations of misconducts against it. The study employs descriptive statistics to analyze the status of misconduct allegations including that of serious misconduct to advocate for a stronger integration of military conduct with UN peacekeeping mandates, aiming to enhance overall effectiveness and elevate ethical standards in international peace operations. The findings underscore Nepal's exemplary practices in fostering both Discipline B and Discipline A within its peacekeeping forces. The paper concludes by demonstrating the substantial positive impact of disciplined behaviour on mission outcomes

Spiral to Surveillance: The Effect of INGOs on Levels of Peacekeeper Misconduct

Abstracts Over the last twenty years, the international relations literature has sought to understand the conditions in which peacekeeping operations (PKOs) occur and the efficacy of their presence. Much work has focused on PKOs’ relationship to civilians in civil conflict, but less is understood about the influences on peacekeeping missions’ quality. If PKOs commit human rights abuses, how might other actors deter exploitive PKO behavior in the domestic context? We argue international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs) provide a monitoring and socializing effect on PKOs. Using the Peacekeeper Attributes (PKAT) and Transnational Social Movements (TSMO) datasets, we analyze peacekeeping missions from 2007 to 2013. Through zero-inflated negative binomial regression, we found that the presence of general INGOs decreases rates of misconduct, and human rights INGOs decrease rates of misconduct. However, we find that the presence of women’s rights-focused INGOs does not decrease rates of sexual misconduct among PKO troops.

UN peacekeeping upon deployment: Peacekeeping activities in theory and practice

United Nations peacekeeping operations (UNPKO) have been deployed in conflict-affected countries for decades. While we thoroughly understand what UNPKOs are mandated to do, there is little research on what activities peacekeepers actually do upon deployment in their host countries and in which sequence, if any. To address this gap, we formulate descriptive hypotheses about the number of implemented peacekeeping activities, the expansion toward new activity categories, and the sequencing of implemented activities. We use the novel Extended Peacekeeping Activity Dataset to evaluate our theoretical expectations for all UNPKOs deployed after the end of the Cold War until 2017. Our findings show that UNPKOs implement more activities over time. Yet, the expansion of UNPKOs’ activities into new activity categories by generation (second, third, and stabilization) is not as clear-cut in practice as expected. Instead, there is a notable expansion of activities within activity categories—especially during third-generation UNPKOs. Finally, we find a security-first sequencing for second- and third-generation UNPKOs, while stabilization UNPKOs implement a high share of security activities long after initial deployment.

Psychological aspects of peacekeeping missions

Relevance. The article discusses the influence of military personnel participation in peacekeeping missions on the psychological state of their family members. This topic is particularly relevant amid growing global militarization and the need for effective regulation by peacekeepers. Purpose. The purpose of the empirical study is to identify the relationship between family identification and the ability of military personnel's family members to consciously overcome stress associated with peacekeeping missions. Methodology. The study involved family members of military personnel undergoing training and those who have already participated in a peacekeeping mission. Three questionnaires were used to collect data, focusing on perceived stress levels, conscious controllability, and family identification features. Results. Statistical analysis revealed that family identification significantly influences the ability of military family members to manage stress caused by participation in peacekeeping missions. The analysis identified four types of subjects differentiated by their levels of family identification and stress management capabilities. Family members with high family identification exhibited better stress management and adaptability. Conversely, those with low family identification struggled more with stress and showed lower adaptability. The study found a positive correlation between strong family bonds and effective stress management, highlighting the importance of family support in coping with the challenges posed by peacekeeping missions. Conclusions. The findings indicate that family identification is crucial in helping military families cope with stress from peacekeeping missions. This typology provides a basis for developing socio-psychological support methods, identifying risk groups, and offering targeted psychological assistance to different types of military family members. By understanding the specific needs and stress management capabilities of military families, it becomes possible to design more effective support programs that enhance resilience and well-being among the families of peacekeepers. Keywords: personnel; self-organization; family identification; perceived stress

China’s peacekeeping activities within the UN: Features, challenges, and prospects

In recent years, China has been vigorously strengthening its international authority, consistently building its image as a responsible great power. One of the vivid manifestations of these efforts has been China’s active involvement in peacekeeping activities under the auspices of the United Nations. Currently, among the permanent members of the UN Security Council, China is the largest supplier of contingents for UN peacekeeping operations and the second largest donor of financing for these operations. At the same time, the PRC’s peacekeeping policy faces a number of endogenous and exogenous risks and challenges that remain somewhat understudied. The first section of the paper examines the key stages in the development of the PRC’s approaches to peacekeeping. It is shown that while all other members of the UN Security Council are gradually reducing the number of contingents and cutting funding to UN peacekeeping activities, China, on the contrary, is consistently increasing its of support for UN peacekeeping operations. The second section identifies current trends and prospects for the development of China’s peacekeeping activities. The author emphasizes that China is not only actively engaging into the existing UN peace-keeping mechanisms and initiatives, but also offers its own original conceptual approaches to address the challenges related to peacemaking and peacebuilding. The concept of ‘developmental peace’ proposed by Chinese researchers is of particular interest in this context. At the same time, as shown in the third section, this activity of the PRC faces a number of problems and challenges. The author notes that China’s objective contribution to peacekeeping activities and international recognition of its efforts are actually very asymmetrical. To this should be added the active efforts of Western countries aimed at discrediting the peacekeeping activities of the PRC, manifested in pushing of narratives about the exceptional selfishness of Chinese initiatives and China’s desire to achieve unilateral advantages in the ‘Taiwan issue’ by exploiting peacekeeping agenda. Assessing the prospects for the development of the PRC’s peacekeeping activities in these conditions, the author emphasizes the need to deepen cooperation with various regional organizations; increase the use of public diplomacy tools and improve the legislative framework for peacekeeping in China itself.

The negative security impacts of hate speech in Nigeria

Most conflicts in Nigeria are consequences of hate speech, marginalization anddivisions along religious and ethnic lines. Using qualitative content analysis, thispaper sets out to highlight cases of hate speech and the consequent impact on peace inNigeria and on its peacekeeping efforts. Results show the dangerous role of the mediain broadcasting hate speech and its contagious multiplier effects: the impunity oftraditional rulers; the failure of effective prosecution and the need to temporarilywithdraw Nigerian troops from peacekeeping missions. It further makesrecommendations towards ideas on how Nigeria could effectively address theunderlying issues towards preventing hate crime and achieving better conflictresolution mechanisms.

‘Undivided’ city in a divided society: explaining the peaceful coexistence of Albanians and Serbs in Kamenicë/Kamenica, Kosovo

ABSTRACT The goal of this paper is to examine which factors have influenced interethnic relations between Albanians and Serbs in Kamenicë/Kamenica, which is significantly less hostile compared to other towns in Kosovo. Utilizing a multi-method research approach, we find these factors include historical-demographic, geopolitical, institutional, economic and cultural factors, as well as the work of the members of the international peacebuilding and peacekeeping missions deployed in the municipality of Kamenicë/Kamenica in June of 1999. Based on our findings, the concept of local-local hybridization is proposed as the main theoretical contribution to the theory of hybrid peace. This concept entails long-lasting interactions between ethnic groups in a local (post-conflict) community under different social circumstances and factors that affected their coexistence, whereby this must be supported by peacebuilding and peacekeeping activities adapted to the aforementioned concept if peace is to be sustained.

Ensuring Nuclear Safety in Ukraine in Conditions of War

The ongoing war in Ukraine has significantly raised concerns about the safety of nuclear power plants (NPPs), especially in the context of the Zaporizhzhia NPP. This precarious situation has revealed substantial weaknesses in the existing global nuclear safety framework, emphasizing the need for sweeping reforms in international law. While the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has played a commendable role in advocating for nuclear safety through various resolutions, missions, and safety principles, the effectiveness of these efforts is compromised by Russia’s non-compliance and its ability to exercise veto power in the UN Security Council. Confronting these challenges requires a diverse and comprehensive approach from the international community. This includes revising international legal structures, conducting in-depth studies on nuclear safety in conflict zones, and considering diplomatic initiatives like establishing safety zones around nuclear facilities. Another possible strategy is the deployment of peacekeeping forces, though geopolitical factors currently limit its viability. Resolving the nuclear safety concerns intensified by the Russia-Ukrainian war demands robust legal and political actions, coupled with innovative solutions and global cooperation. Immediate and focused attention is crucial to avert any further escalation that risks a nuclear incident, posing dire threats not only to Ukraine but to the entire international community.

Peacekeeping operations and shadow economy growth in host countries

While a great deal of scholarship has been devoted to peacekeeping operations (PKOs), relatively few works have examined their economic effects. Toward better understanding this area of inquiry, we examine the impact of PKOs on the growth of the shadow economies of host countries. We posit that the conflict cessation brought about by peacekeeping missions, as well as their stimulative economic effects, will reduce the growth of the shadow sector. However, these impacts may not be sustainable after the conclusion of the mission. Testing these linkages across 145 countries for over 40 years, we find significant support for these dynamics.

NATO in Kosovo and the logic of successful security practices

Abstract NATO's involvement in Kosovo and its transformation from a military intervention to a UN-authorized peacekeeping operation has played a key role in the evolution of the alliance's strategic and political agenda. This article explores the importance of NATO's engagement with Kosovo in retrospect and in relation to the future outlook for European and global peace and security. It focuses on the centrality of this case for NATO's post-Cold War identity and as a key issue in the renewed political conflict associated with the transitional international order. We make three arguments. First, we argue that NATO's involvement in Kosovo has shaped and exacerbated the broader friction associated with the shifting international order. Second, we make the case that this engagement has played a key role in the strategic, political and operational development of NATO and its evolving identity. Thirdly, as a result of this, we argue that NATO's evolution and transformation in Kosovo was guided by what we call the logic of successful security practices. This entails making prudent political choices and implementing practical steps to harmonize divergent strategic interests among NATO members, adapting to shifting security circumstances, and upholding the organization's significance, credibility and influence both within and beyond the Euro-Atlantic community.