Militarised efforts in support of a host government against opposition or armed groups can create disincentives for the government to engage in the political dialogue required to resolve the underlying political disagreements.
This article highlights a critical challenge in the evolution of African-led peace support operations (PSOs). Since their inception, these interventions have shifted from traditional peacekeeping to peace enforcement missions that address increasingly complex and transnational threats like violent extremism. While PSOs are faster and more cost-effective than UN missions, they often prioritize stabilization over resolving the root causes of insecurity, such as weak governance, lack of basic services, and systemic inequality.
African PSOs represent a vital tool in addressing insecurity on the continent. However, as Eugene Chen and others suggest, their ultimate success hinges on their ability to balance immediate stabilization needs with long-term conflict resolution strategies, addressing the structural issues that underpin violence and instability.
Read the full article: African-led peacekeeping fills a UN-sized hole