BIPSS – CLAWS Collaboration

CLAWS (New Delhi) – Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS)
(Bangladesh)

Conflict Resolution Methodologies and

Approaches: United Nations Context
Jyoti M. Pathania

Keywords: Preventive/Pro-active Conflict Resolution, Conflict Management, Conflict

Transformation/Post Conflict Reconstruction, Basic Needs Theory, Preventive Diplomacy, Second
Generation Peace Keeping Operations, Mutual Problem Sharing, India, Bangladesh

On the occasion of the 75th anniversary, it is an opportune time to revisit and rediscover the United
Nations (UN) especially concerning the resolution of conflicts in the international realm.
Maintenance of International Peace and Security was the very reason for its genesis on the 24th of
October 1945 and continues to remain one of the vital goals of the United Nations. Time and again
the UN has used and provided for different approaches and methods on Conflict Resolution. The
legalities of such have been laid out in many articles of the UN Charter, like Article 1i Article 33ii,
Chapter VIiii& Chapter VIIiv as also other UN offices and organs like the General Assembly and
the Secretary-General.

Different Conflict Resolution skills, methods and processes have been utilized, depending upon
the context and the situation on the ground. These processes/activities often overlap, complement

Dr.Jyoti M. Pathania is Senior Fellow & Chairperson Outreach at Centre for Land Warfare Studies
(CLAWS), New Delhi, India.
and reinforce one another, which in turn helps them to be more effective as well as holistic in their
efforts towards establishing Peace and Conflict Resolution.

The UN’s approach to Conflict Prevention has evolved. The General Assembly and Security
Council resolutions (A/70/262 and S/2282, respectively)v on “sustaining peace” were adopted in
2016. These involve the application of structural or diplomatic measures to keep tensions and
disputes from escalating and spreading into a violent conflict. Measures like timely information
for crisis prevention, diffusion of hostilities before they become violent, mediation and
negotiations capabilities, establishing channels of communication both formal and informal
between the parties in conflict, fact-finding missions on humanitarian aid and assistance;
identifying non-violent means of resolving the tensions; stop ongoing conflicts from spreading,
and deter the re-emergence of violence. vi

“ The aim [of conflict prevention] must be to create a synergy with those civil society
groups that are bridge-builders, truthfinders, watchdogs, human rights defenders, and
agents of social protection and economic revitalisation.”

- UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan quoted in The

Washington Times, 23 June 2004

A successful example of preventive action was taken in 1992 when the UN peacekeepers patrolled
the Macedonia–Serbia borders and the civilian unit monitoring early signs of conflict used its
“good offices” in the form of preventive diplomacy to address tensions rising among ethnic groups
within the country. Many civil society efforts were also initiated including inter-community
dialogues, promoting tolerance through radio and television programs and democratizing the
media.vii More of such Pro-Active strategies like early warning systems, information gathering and
detailed analysis of the drivers of the conflicts should be undertaken.
For a comprehensive understanding of Conflict Prevention approach, one can be categorise them
into two types as shown below:-
Figure - 1

Types of Conflict Prevention

Direct Conflict Prevention Indirect Conflict Prevention

These address the root
These measures address immediate and instant causes
causes/structural needs/ John Burton’s
of conflict
Basic Needs theoryviii
 These measures are basic & evolving
More tactical & operational in nature
in nature

Egs. Sending high-level diplomatic missions to mediate Good offices, negotiation, mediation
between parties, peace keeping missions and special political missions

Forceful methods are used; like use of economic Protection of human rights, minority
sanctions, inducements, or collecting weapons and rights, non violent responses to
demobilising the warring factions, and deployment of conflicts, involvement of women &
peacekeeping mission civil society

The operational role finishes once the This is an ongoing peacebuilding

process continuing even after the UN
Peace Keeping Mission ends and leaves. Peace keeping mission leaves.

Source: Annotated by the Author

Conflict Management aims to limit/ regulate the conflict. Though it is a short term measure, it
does have an impact on the possibilities for a long-term settlement and resolution of Conflicts.
Sometimes such limiting measures congeal the possibilities of a resolution, because they provide
a stalemate/status quo to the conflict at that point of time, making it difficult for conflicting parties
to move on to newer rapprochements. A case in point is the Cyprus Conflict, Since 27th March
1964, UNFICYP Peacekeeping Mission has been stationed there but no resolution of the conflict
is in sight. A political stalemate continues despite some success in humanitarian and non-military
spheres.

The most comprehensive process based on mutual problem sharing needs, with its efficacy by &
large being permanent and long term, which further helps in providing a win-win situation for the
parties in conflict is Conflict Resolution. UN continues to play a critical role in dealing with
International Conflict Resolution. There are 14 UN peacekeeping operations currently deployed
and there have been a total of 71 deployed since 1948. In 2019, the Secretary-General launched
the Action for Peacekeeping Initiative (A4P) to renew mutual political commitment to
peacekeeping operations.ix

Over the years, peacekeeping has evolved from a primarily military model of observing cease-
fires and the separation of forces after inter-state wars, to incorporate a complex model of many
elements – military, police and civilian – working together to help lay the foundations for
sustainable peace.x Such transformative role of the second generation peace keeping operations
help in facilitating the political processes, assisting in the disarmament, demobilization and
reintegration of former combatants; organization of elections and promotion of human rights.
Noteworthy instances of UN efforts in mediation were seen in Iran acceptance of UN Resolution
598 as the basis for talks with Iraq to end the Iran-Iraq war.xi Angola-Namibia-South Africa.
Resolution 435 call for a ceasefire, a UN peacekeeping force, and UN-sponsored elections in
Namibia, United Nations transition Assistance Group (UNTAG); UN Angola Verification Mission
(UNAVIM); Western Sahara- UN-brokered peace plan calling for a cease-fire and referendum.
Some successful peacekeeping operation also include those of United Nations Transitional
Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) which organized elections and repatriated about half a million
refugees; United Nations Observer Mission (ONSUL) in El Salvador ended the armed conflict and
conducted elections; UN Verification Mission in Guatemala (MINUGUA) ended 36 years of
armed conflict; The United Nations Operations in Mozambique (UNOMOZ) helped in
maintaining the peace accord; United Nations Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG) in Namibia
monitored the peace process; United Nations Mission of Observers in Tajikistan (UNMOT)
monitored peace agreements during and after the Civil war.

Figure - 2

Interlinked Conflict Resolution Processes

Conflict
Management

Conflict Conflict Conflict

Transformation Resolution Settlement

Conflict
Prevention

Source: Annotated by the Author

Conflict Transformation/Post Conflict Rebuilding & Reconstruction includes creating
conditions to allow peace to hold and flourish. The post-reconstruction development efforts like
continuously engaging with the local communities and sustaining dialogues remain crucial in
maintaining peace, because such efforts help in reducing the risk of relapsing into conflict again.
Such ongoing processes and reconciliation commitments are the foundation for sustainable peace
and development. John Paul Lederachxii developed transformation-oriented approach highlighting
the reconciliations aspects of the society.

In Liberia, the Peacekeeping Operations UNMIL accomplished its mission after 15 years. But the
UN Country Team, such as the UN Development Programmes, UNICEF and the World Food
Programme, continued to remain in the country for post-conflict reconstruction and development
activities. After successful disarmament, demobilization, rehabilitation and reintegration process
and peaceful elections, the mission’s attention shifted to providing security for the country, helping
to midwife a new army and police force and extending civil authority throughout the country.
UNMIL provided technical and logistical support to various government departments.xiii Countries
like Sierra Leone, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Timor-Leste, Liberia, Haiti and Kosovo, have been
provided with the path to normal development including; basic security, support in political
transitions and building new state institutions.

India and Bangladesh have continued their outstanding commitment and service to the UN Peace
Keeping Operations; as the top ranking contributors together with about 11,853 troops, out of total
82,245 as on 30th June 2020.xiv India has been the largest mission troop contributor since the
inception of UN and Bangladesh too has been regularly contributing since 1988. India has taken
part in 49 Peacekeeping missions with a total contribution exceeding 2, 40,000 troopsxv and police
personnel, but this has also come with a price of having lost most peacekeepers than any other
member states.

The challenges faced today are innumerable and few unsuccessful peacekeeping operations like
Israeli Occupation, Cambodia Violence, Somalia, Rwanda, and Darfur Conflict in Sudan remain.
United Nations has seen an increase in significant use of measures like preventive diplomacy,
conflict resolution and peace maintenance activities over the last few years. But to fully actualize
its potential in the realm of Conflict Resolution, restructuring and reform is of paramount
necessity. The UN cannot function efficiently and efficaciously, if it continues on the basis of 1945
world order. To begin with, enlarge the Security Council Permanent Members to include rising
democratic powers like India, Japan, Brazil, and Germany; question the Veto; need for more
regional representation and transparency in administration & working of UN. On its 75th
Anniversary, the member nations should stand up together and demand restructuring for a fair and
just system based on equality, representation and multilateralism.
End Notes:

i
Chapter 1(Article 1) - Purpose and Principles, The UN is engaged for maintaining international peace and security
through peaceful manners and with respect to International law and the principle of justice, Available at-
http://hrlibrary.umn.edu/peace/docs/chapter1.html

ii
Article 33- Parties to a conflict shall resolve their differences by “mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial
settlement, resort to regional agencies or arrangement or other peaceful means of their own choice, Available at –
https://www.un.org/en/sections/un-charter/chapter-vii/index.html

iii
Chapter VI: Pacific Settlement of Disputes (Art 33-38) ibid

iv
Chapter VII: Actions with respect to threats to peace, Breaches of the Peace and Acts of aggression (Art 39-51) ibid.
v
https://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/migration/generalassembly/docs/globalcompact/A_RES_
70_262.pdf
vi
Carnegie Commission on the Prevention of Deadly Conflict Report published in 1999, Available at-
http://www.carnegie.org

vii
The Post-Conflict Reconstruction Task Frame Work Report, May 2002, Available at -
<http://www.csis.org/isp/pcr/framework.pdf>.

viii
John Burton, Resolving Deep-Rooted Conflicts: A Handbook, Lanham, MD: University Press of America, 1987.
Needs theory - thus postulates that human development requires the fulfillment of basic human needs such as
identity, security, recognition, creativity, control, belongingness, love, choice and self-actuation.

ix
International Peace Institute Issue Brief, Sep 2018, available at - https://www.ipinst.org/wp-
content/uploads/2018/09/1809_Action-for-Peacekeeping.pdf

x
United Nations Peace Keeping operations, Principles & Guidelines 2010, Available at -
peacekeeping.un.org/sites/default/files/capstone_eng_0.pdf

xi
Fen osler hampson, The role of the United Nations in conflict resolution and peacekeeping, Multipolarity, Available
at- https://www.e-cultura.pt/ieei_pdf/81/Fen_Osler_Hampson_The_Role_of_the_United_Nations

xii
John Paul Lederach is an American Professor of International Peacebuilding at the University of Norte Dame,
Norte Dame, Indiana

xiii
Kingsley Ighobor, Mission accomplished: 15 years of Peacekeeping in Liberia, Africa Renewal Magazine, 2018
Available at - https://www.un.org/africarenewal/magazine/april-2018-july-2018/mission-accomplished-15-years-
peacekeeping-success-liberia

xiv
Contributors to UN Peacekeeping Operations by Country and Post Police, UN Military Experts on Mission, Staff
Officers and Troops, Available at - https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/troop-and-police-contributors

xv
India and united nations peacekeeping and peacebuilding, Available at -
https://www.pminewyork.gov.in/pdf/menu/submenu__455847884.pdf
UNDERSTANDING FOURTH GENERATION PEACEKEEPING:
STRIVING FOR PEACE IN A NEW MILLENIUM
*Marjuka Binte Afzal

Keywords: Positive Peace, Humanitarianism, Generation of Peacekeeping, Peacebuilding, Conflict

Resolution, Conflict Management.

Introduction: Positive Peace and Fourth Generation Peacekeeping

Over the decades, with the changing pace of global politics and war strategies, contemporary
conflicts have now adapted new natures and trends. The central axes of these changes in the
nature of contemporary conflict have demanded changes in conflict resolution, thereby effecting
the peace operations that now dominate them. When we talk about these conceptual shifts, we
can trace them to what Alex Bellamy and Paul Williams have coined as the post-Westphalian1
approach to the world order. This post-Westphalian order, a shift taking the form of many
progressive changes in accounts of conceptual and practical ways, has principally paired with the
restructuring of the relation between two structural elements of the principle of sovereignty, that
is, the rights of the state and the human rights of individuals. In the recent terms of interventions
by the Fourth Generation of Peacekeeping operations, takes cues from this and works further
in conceptualising peace and security through human security2 and Johan Galtung’s Positive
Peace.

While we often denote the concept of peace being directly relevant to the absence of violence,
peace, with its many symbols and meanings, can go deeper in its representation, especially in
conflict situations. Which is why, when we talk about an inter-state war heading for a ceasefire,
we are not left with a long-term sense of peace, and are left hoping for more resolution. In this
contemporary world of violence and non-traditional war, we are forced to understand that an
absence of direct, armed conflict is not peace and that for true peace, or positive peace to grow,
we need to have sustainable and holistic resolutions of conflict that support rebuilding and
restructuring infrastructure and ensuring public security in its actual sense. In other words, we

1
Bellamy, A. (2004). The ‘Next Stage’ in Peace Operations Theory? International Peacekeeping, 11(1), 17–38.
2
Kaldor, M. (2007). Human security: reflections on globalization and intervention. Cambridge: Polity Press.

1
need Peacebuilding. Peacebuilding usually comes after peacemaking (efforts to resolve a
conflict while in its latent phases through negotiations, mitigations, etc.) and peacekeeping
(armed or unarmed intervention during violent conflict by a third party state or organisation)
efforts are come and gone, perhaps in a ceasefire state, where a state still carrying its wounds of
war requires restructuring state administration, readdressing and reestablishing of infrastructure
as well as restoring the relationship between the conflicting parties. This paper will briefly try to
explain the development of Fourth Generation Peacekeeping in the contemporary conflictual
world, and how it works towards sustainable peace for war-torn states. The paper will explain it
by discussing conflict resolution and peacebuilding and talk about the reasons behind why fourth
generation operations are not more in vogue.

Conflict Resolution Becoming Central for Humanitarianism

Johan Galtung, a pioneer or Peace and Conflict Research has said, “By Peace we mean the
capacity to transform conflicts with empathy, without violence, and creatively- a never-ending
process.”3 With humanitarian concerns advancing more into the forefront, peace operations have
gone through a three-part cumulative progression in terms of their central purpose4.Conflict
resolutions include processes and instruments that support peace endeavours and resolve
conflicts at their latent or manifested stage. First, the conflict resolutions were added collective
security concerns based on the Westphalian order and later humanitarian preoccupations. Then,
they became a key element in the attempt to reconstitute the central organising principle of
Westphalian sovereignty, development from their previous use as a case-bound conflict
resolution tool. And finally, peace operations began to gain a place on the lateral notion of non-
intervention, humanitarian concerns, like dispatching an increasing number of peace operations
to distributing of relief, protecting of civilians, etc. and from here peace operations began to
make its niche in political discourse and academic discussions with regards to conflict
management, humanitarianism and collective security.

3
Galtung, J. Culture of empathy builder: Johan Galtung. (n.d.). Retrieved September 3, 2020, from
Cultureofempathy.com website: http://cultureofempathy.com/References/Experts/Johan-Galtung.htm
4
Kenkel, K. M. (2013). Five generations of peace operations: from the “thin blue line” to “painting a country
blue.” RevistaBrasileira de PolíticaInternacional, 56(1), 122–143.
2
Generations of Peacekeeping

Peacekeeping operation is an instrument of conflict resolution processes, mostly using two or

more tools of conflict resolution, such as mediation, conciliation, arbitration and/or third-party
intervention. These operations in practice can commonly be divided into generations, and despite
not having clear demarcations of the beginning and subsequent end of its predecessor
generation(s), the approaches taken into practice and based on the conflict resolving methods can
be divided into four, and according to many academicians, five generations.

First generation was the traditional kind of peacekeeping missions. Mostly relevant in during
1948-1990, these were the interposition missions; the tasks were to observe, monitor and report.
Supervision became a key response, to codify, elaborate and interpret agreements as well as
implementation of peace agreements and conciliation between parties was prominent approaches
to conflict resolution. Peacekeeping operations here were unarmed and the peacekeepers were
‘soldier diplomat’5. The United Nations Truce Supervision, deployed in the Middle East,
founded in 1948, the United Nations Monitoring and Observation Group in India and Pakistan,
active in Kashmir since 1949 and UNFICYP, deployed to Cyprus following that island’s
partition in 1964 are examples of First Generation peacekeeping.

The Second generation Peacekeeping missions are of multidimensional forced. During these
operations, call for separate combatants and peacekeeping forces in pre-formed units were made,
calling for civilian forces for the first time, who were armed for only self-defence. Second
generation peacekeeping operations always fall under the auspices of Chapter VI of the UN
Charter, stating no changes to be made under the rule of engagement, meaning that the success of
these operations depended entirely on the goodwill of the parties involved. There have been a
remarkable number of successful cases on these kinds of operations, examples like the United
Nations Operation in Mozambique (UNOMOZ), United Nations Transition Assistance Group
(UNTAG) in Namibia, and the United Nations Observer Group in El Salvador (ONUSAL) are

5
Woodhouse, A. S.-M. T. (n.d.). The United Nations, armed conflict and peacekeeping. Retrieved September 3,
2020, from Uoc.edu website:
http://openaccess.uoc.edu/webapps/o2/bitstream/10609/50481/2/United%20Nations%20and%20peace%20oper
ations_Unit1_The%20United%20Nations%2C%20armed%20conflict%20and%20peacekeeping.pdf

3
worth mentioning6. Third generation peacekeeping operations expanded peacekeeping within
the limits of the UN’s ability and started to become more smaller in size, complex and based on
robust application of Chapter VII of the UN Charter, multidimensional and mostly
Peacebuilding operations7. By then the conflict arising due to Cold War and in post-Cold War
had begun to dominate schools of thought and global leaders, and the main threats were being
faced from armed attacks or invasions, civil war, human rights violations, and terrorism. So, the
goals had now become national and international stability, ceasefires, peace agreements, conflict

Second Generation:
First Generation:
Multidimensional
Interpositional mission
Operation

Third Generation: Fourth Generation:

Peacebuilding Missions Hybridised Operations
(Robust following of and Transitional
Chapter VII) Administration

Figure 1 Overview of the Generations of Peacekeeping Operations (Source: Annotated by the Author).

management and resolution. It focused more on civil military actions, enforcing ceasefires and
rebuilding failed states. The robust approach meant that the consent of the conflicting parties
were not required.

The Fourth generation peacekeeping missions are known for their transitional
administrations. These are rarely referred to as ‘peacekeeping’ and the actions are delegated to
other international operations such as NATO, as seen in the case of Bosnia in mid-1990’s. Here,
the operations lead nations and regional organisations to conduct peace enforcement operations,
and are known to be robust, taking more peacebuilding activities including peace enforcement,
building of institution, and on some occasions, temporary exercise of sovereignty. Another

6
Doyle and Rosalyn, M. (1995). Second-Generation Peacekeeping. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
7
Peacekeeping to peacebuilding |. (n.d.). Retrieved September 3, 2020, from Lawexplores.com website:
https://lawexplores.com/peacekeeping-to-peacebuilding/

4
example is seen in the intervention of ECOWAS in the peace mission in Liberia (UNMIL).
Often, a few operations were are argued by many scholars to be Fifth generation operation,
known to be a hybridisation8; although this hybrid feature is already present in Fourth
generation. These missions deploy troops andpolice personnel under mixed command, having
both the United Nations and various regional organisations deploying troops to the same
missions under separate chains of command and distinct forms of mandate. Another example
stands out on the fourth generation peacekeeping mission of MINUSTAH in Haiti, where a
majority of troops came from South America and the mission’s main focus was on economic
development and societal stability.

Fourth Generation Peacekeeping: Peacebuilding for Contemporary Conflicts

Fourth generation Peace operations in the current typology are a combination of robust
peacebuilding operations and elevated approvals to use force with enhanced civilian forces that
are more ‘intrusive’ in terms of their effect on local autonomy, compared to the Second
generation9. The missions that fall under this generation is known in analytical literatures and
national doctrines as peace support operations. The contention remains with peacebuilding as a
concept though, the definition used in UN practice is taken from Boutros-Ghali’s Agenda for
Peace,

action to identify and support structures which will tend to strengthen and solidify peace
in order to avoid a relapse into conflict…(page 15). Through agreements ending civil
strife, these may include disarming the previously warring parties and the restoration of
order, the custody and possible destruction of weapons, repatriating refugees, advisory
and training support for security personnel, monitoring elections, advancing efforts to
protect human rights, reforming or strengthening governmental institutions and
promoting formal and informal processes of political participation (page 55)”10

Setting a clear concept of peacebuilding was hence formulated.

8
Kenkel, K. M. (2013). Five generations of peace operations: from the “thin blue line” to “painting a country
blue.” RevistaBrasileira de PolíticaInternacional, 56(1), 135–136
9
Bellamy, A. J., Williams, P. D., & Griffin, S. (2010). Understanding Peacekeeping (2nd ed.). Oxford, England: Polity
Press.
10
Boutros-Ghali, B. (1992). An Agenda For Peace.

5
Peacebuilding, as pointed out before, became vital post-Cold War, an epoch brought in by the
definitive victory of freemarket capitalism and liberal democracy. And further cementing the
idea of Democratic Peace, it became a clear belief that liberal democratic states do not go to war
with each other. So, implementing democracy became a practice, popularised by peace
operations as conflict management. This facilitated elections, repatriation of refugees,
reestablishing infrastructures, political parties and strengthening government institutions; all
stated in Boutros-Ghali’s definition.

Statebuilding

Security Sector Economic

Reform Libertation

Transitional
Administration Developing
Governing
Relationship
Territory during (Fourth between
Transition Period Generation
Conflicting Parties
Peacekeeping)

Figure 2 Elements of Fourth Generation Peacekeeping Operations (Source: Annotated by the Author).

An extreme form of robust peacebuilding is the ‘Transitional Administration’, where the UN

peace operation has the effective power to exercise of sovereignty over a given territory, and
under the Head of UN mission temporarily lied all executive, legislative, and judicial authority.
Only four such administrations have been set up till date, between 1995 till 199911, in East
Timor, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Eastern Slavonia, and Kosovo. Peacebuilding missions of Fourth
generation operations have means of achieving their end pursuing predominantly through two
simultaneous processes of Institutionalisation and Economic Liberalisation, and among them,

11
DiFelice, B. (2007). International Transitional Administration: The United Nations in East Timor, Bosnia-
Herzegovina, Eastern Slavonia, and Kosovo. International Journal of Legal Information, 35(1), 53–60.

6
institutionalisation consists of direct external involvement in the shaping of government
institutions, adapting a subcategory of peacebuilding called Statebuilding. This marks a
significant shift in the ways international intervention are achieved. The end goal of the fourth
generation operations are to hand over the power to a peaceful, stable country governed by a
democratically elected local leadership.

Fourth generation operations also call for regional organisations such as NATO or Organisation
for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to cope with the multidimensional demands of
peacekeeping operations. These operations are a combination of military, police and civilian led
activities under a mixed command mechanism, in which UN and other international or regional
organisations deploy troops and civil personnel for an operation under several chain of
commands. This, as we previously mentioned, is the hybridisation of operations, known now as
the Fifth generation operations. Because of the ways peacekeeping missions under a transitional
administration of UN are catered based on the needs of the aggrieved parties of a conflict and
taking support from regional organisation as well as local civil services, readdressing and
reestablishing administration and peacebuilding for a sustainable sovereign and stable state in
positive peace seems like the kind of peace operation much needed for contemporary conflicts.
From the successful precursors of the transitional administration, in Cambodia and West Papua,
to the newer case East Timor, we see a vein of hope for contemporary conflicts being settled in
peaceful elections as power is handed over to more stable governments. However, so is not the
case for all, and since 1999, we have not seen any newer cases of transitional administrations by
UN peacekeeping operations. So, the question is, how is this generation of peace operation
failing?

Criticism of Fourth Generation Peacekeeping

While we spoke of the latest cases, we mentioned the peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, UNMIK,
a mission under the fourth generation operations that argumentatively, failed to settle the
regional concerns of stable government and establishing equal rights for the conflicting ethnic
parties. While calling it a failure is a stretch, since it did manage to successfully calm the volatile
situation and created a noticeable progress in the department of justice and security, the issue
related to the settlement with Serbia, they did not succeed. Most experts also agree that the UN
failed to create a stable political system with functioning institutions to assist and support a
7
working administration. The main reason for this seemed to be that UNMIK did not involve local
population in their decision-making, marginalising them, which led to a fall for support for
UNMIK till its eventual demise in 200712. KFOR on the other hand, was a peace force set up by
NATO as a ‘leading support organisation’ for the region, still remains. There was a subsequent
EU takeover from UN that is slowly making its case for a peaceful future.

The issues do not just lie in recognition of all conflicting parties, as seen in the case for Kosovo,
but with the overall longevity transition period too. Questions regarding the process, whether it is
a transitional administration or a form of neo-colonialism is also posed, and experts ask if this
process of peacebuilding renders the conflicting state dependent on international rule. Another
issue is brought in with the extent of international involvement, and whether it is welcoming by
local government or not, issues that overall have snagged at future cases for fourth generation
peacekeeping.

Conclusion

With the new generations of peacekeeping operations evolving, we can notice the central essence
of serving human rights and humanitarianism becoming more prioritised. Fourth generation
believes in establishing sustainable peace that encourages better local democracy and ensures
public security. Contemporary conflicts are now fought more over identity, rights and integrity
rather than territory. Conflicts over social identity hence are protracted and prolonged and the
end of which still carry grievances of the parties losing their demands. A transitional
administration hence seems like a strong support a conflictual state can depend on while it
recuperates to stand on its own. It all depends on whether this peacebuilding process for the
contemporary conflicts of the world is executed well and how much it is accepted by the parties
to make it a true success.

*Marjuka Binte Afzal is a Research Intern at BIPSS. She is getting her Master’s degree from the
Department of Peace and Conflict Studies in the University of Dhaka. Her fields of interest are
Security Studies, Diplomacy and Foreign Policy, Strategic Studies, Game Theory, among others.

12
Analysis: The UN in Kosovo- Success or Failure? (2015). Retrieved September 2, 2020, from EU Reporter website:
https://www.eureporter.co/world/2015/04/17/analysis-the-un-in-kosovo-success-or-failure/
8