Table of Contents
Peacekeeping, Peacemaking and Peacebuilding
Introduction
Peacekeeping, peacemaking and peacebuilding are related but distinct approaches to preventing violence, ending armed conflict and establishing sustainable peace.
Peacekeeping generally seeks to maintain peace and prevent renewed violence after or during an agreement. Peacemaking focuses on diplomatic efforts to bring conflicting parties toward a settlement. Peacebuilding addresses the deeper political, institutional, economic and social conditions that contribute to conflict.
Together, these concepts form an important part of international conflict management and post-conflict recovery.
Peacekeeping
Peacekeeping involves the deployment of international personnel to help maintain peace, support agreements and reduce the risk of renewed conflict.
The United Nations has developed a major international peacekeeping system involving military, police and civilian personnel.
Peacekeeping operations may perform functions such as:
- Monitoring ceasefires
- Supporting peace agreements
- Protecting civilians under an authorized mandate
- Supporting elections
- Facilitating humanitarian access
- Assisting institutional development
- Monitoring disengagement of forces
Traditional Peacekeeping
Traditional peacekeeping generally involves deployment between or among conflicting parties after a ceasefire or agreement.
Its classic principles include:
Consent of the parties: Peacekeepers traditionally operate with the consent of the main parties.
Impartiality: Peacekeepers are expected to implement their mandate impartially.
Limited use of force: Traditional peacekeeping generally limits force to self-defence and defence of the mandate, subject to the specific mandate.
Multidimensional Peacekeeping
Multidimensional peacekeeping combines military, police and civilian functions.
A modern peacekeeping mission may support:
- Political processes
- Electoral institutions
- Rule of law
- Human rights
- Security-sector reform
- Disarmament
- Protection of civilians
Peace Enforcement
Peace enforcement involves coercive measures authorized under the relevant international legal framework to maintain or restore international peace and security.
Peace enforcement differs from traditional peacekeeping because it can involve a stronger coercive component.
Peacemaking
Peacemaking refers to diplomatic efforts aimed at bringing conflicting parties toward a negotiated settlement.
Methods include:
- Negotiation
- Mediation
- Shuttle diplomacy
- Good offices
- Confidence-building measures
- Diplomatic conferences
Peacemaking primarily focuses on reaching agreements that end or transform active disputes.
Mediators
Mediator is a third party that assists conflicting parties in reaching agreement.
Mediators may be:
- States
- International organizations
- Regional organizations
- Individual political leaders
- Special envoys
- Civil society organizations
Special envoy is an individual appointed to undertake diplomatic efforts concerning a particular conflict or issue.
Peacebuilding
Peacebuilding addresses the conditions that can cause conflict to recur.
It is generally a longer-term process.
Peacebuilding may involve:
- Governance reform
- Economic reconstruction
- Political inclusion
- Justice
- Reconciliation
- Security-sector reform
- Disarmament and reintegration
- Institutional development
- Community recovery
Post-Conflict Reconstruction
Post-conflict reconstruction refers to efforts to rebuild physical infrastructure, institutions and economic systems after conflict.
It may include reconstruction of:
- Roads
- Schools
- Hospitals
- Energy systems
- Government institutions
- Courts
- Police services
Reconciliation
Reconciliation involves efforts to rebuild relationships between communities or groups affected by conflict.
It may involve:
- Truth-seeking
- Dialogue
- Public acknowledgment
- Reparations
- Community-level initiatives
- Institutional reforms
Rule of Law
Rule of law is essential to sustainable peace because institutions must provide predictable and lawful mechanisms for resolving disputes.
Peacebuilding may therefore focus on:
- Independent courts
- Effective policing
- Legal reform
- Human rights protection
- Anti-corruption mechanisms
- Equal access to justice
Security-Sector Reform
Security-sector reform (SSR) seeks to create security institutions that are effective, accountable and consistent with the rule of law.
Relevant institutions may include:
- Armed forces
- Police
- Intelligence services
- Border forces
- Justice institutions
- Civilian oversight bodies
Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration
Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) is a major post-conflict process.
Disarmament removes weapons from combatants.
Demobilization formally dissolves or reduces armed formations.
Reintegration helps former combatants return to civilian life.
Successful DDR can reduce the likelihood that former combatants return to armed activity.
Protection of Civilians
Protection of civilians (POC) refers to measures intended to protect civilians from physical violence and other serious threats during armed conflict.
Modern peacekeeping mandates may include explicit responsibilities concerning civilian protection.
Peacekeeping and Sovereignty
Peacekeeping raises important questions about sovereignty and consent.
International peacekeepers generally operate under an agreed mandate and legal framework.
The relationship between peacekeeping and sovereignty depends on:
- The mandate
- Consent of the parties
- Security Council authorization
- The nature of the conflict
- Applicable international law
Peacekeeping, Peacemaking and Peacebuilding Compared
| Concept | Primary purpose | Typical instruments |
|---|---|---|
| Peacekeeping | Maintain peace and prevent renewed violence | International missions, monitoring, civilian protection |
| Peacemaking | Reach negotiated settlement | Diplomacy, negotiation, mediation |
| Peacebuilding | Address causes of recurring conflict | Governance, reconstruction, reconciliation |
| Peace enforcement | Coercively restore or maintain peace | Authorized coercive measures |
| Reconstruction | Rebuild post-conflict systems | Infrastructure and institutional recovery |
Key Terms at a Glance
Peacekeeping: International efforts to maintain peace and support agreements.
Traditional peacekeeping: Monitoring and maintaining peace with limited force.
Multidimensional peacekeeping: Peacekeeping involving military, police and civilian functions.
Peace enforcement: Coercive action authorized to restore or maintain peace.
Peacemaking: Diplomatic efforts to reach a settlement.
Peacebuilding: Long-term efforts to address causes of conflict.
Reconciliation: Rebuilding relationships after conflict.
DDR: Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration.
SSR: Security-Sector Reform.
Protection of civilians: Measures to protect civilians from conflict-related violence.
Post-conflict reconstruction: Rebuilding institutions, infrastructure and economic systems.
Related Glossaries
Related topics include 5.5 Negotiation, Mediation and Conflict Diplomacy, 7.2 UN Security Council and Collective Security, 10.1 War and Armed Conflict, 10.5 Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution, 17.1 Development and Human Development, and 20.4 World War II and the Postwar Settlement.