Development, Concepts and Doctrine Centre

Challenges in the Contemporary Peacekeeping Environment

A Personal Perspective

21 September 2011

Presented by Lieutenant Colonel Paul Armitage MBE

Development, Concepts and Doctrine Centre

CONTEMPORARY ENVIRONMENT

Why now?

• Remove ambiguity • Remind ourselves of the

differences between current operations and peacekeeping

• Reflect better the contemporary environment

PEACEKEEPING

Is the technique designed to support the implementation of a ceasefire or peace agreement, however fragmented, where major hostility has halted, and to assist in implementing agreements achieved by the

peacemakers.

PEACEKEEPING / PEACE ENFORCEMENT RELATIONSHIP

Multidimensional Peacekeeping

Military ApproachCoerciveBenign

Peace Enforcement

PEACE ENFORCEMENT

.. involves the application of a range of coercive measures, including the use of

military force. Such actions are authorised to restore international peace and security

in situations where the Security Council has determined the existence of a threat to the

peace..

UN Peacekeeping Guidelines: 2008

ROBUST PEACEKEEPING(the requirements)

• Domestic political will to implement the mandate• Understanding of why you’re there • Understanding the environment • Resourced and trained appropriately • An agile and effective chain of command• The ability and willingness to act

Political Process

Peace Building

Peacekeeping

Peace Enforcement

Conflict

Cease-fire

Peacemaking

Conflict Prevention

PEACEKEEPING PRINCIPLES• Consent• Impartiality• Minimum Force for Self Defence and

Implementation of the Mandate• Political Primacy• Legitimacy• Cause no Harm – Conflict-Sensitive Activity• An Integrated Approach

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE MILITARY

• Understanding– The political environment– The operating environment– Partners (collaborative working)

• The need for a posture that deters acts against the agreement / ceasefire / mandate– Protection of civilians

CHALLENGES FACING CHINA• Willingness to conduct robust peacekeeping:

– Interference versus impartiality– Authorise the use force to implement the

mandate– Willingness to accept casualties

• Ability to conduct robust peacekeeping:– Decentralised command– Capability

• Ability to integrate with other actors• Ability to capture lessons learned

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