| ID | 106199 |
| Title Proper | Our work here is done |
| Other Title Information | European Union peacekeeping in Africa |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Norheim-Martinsen, Per Martin |
| Publication | 2011. |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | Since the European Union's Organisation Operation Artemis in support of the United Nations mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) in 2003, Africa has become a key area of operations for the EU, an important source of lessons learned, and a test case for a constructive UN-EU partnership. The questions posed in this paper are whether the lessons learned have been the 'right' ones, and whether the hopes that the EU would become a vehicle for a revival of European peacekeeping in Africa have been met. The paper shows that despite initial hopes that it would become an active and responsible peacekeeper, the EU's African venture soon showed signs of strain. Routine claims to success, and a need to prove itself as a potent military actor, have made it hard for the EU to learn the right lessons from these operations and develop relations with the UN. A further problem is that the EU, through its short-term 'bridging operations', subsequently often increases the strain on the UN. Finally, the potential for drawing synergies between both organisations' unique potentials as civil-military actors has not been tapped. |
| `In' analytical Note | African Security Review Vol. 20, No. 2; Jun 2011: p17-28 |
| Journal Source | African Security Review Vol. 20, No. 2; Jun 2011: p17-28 |
| Key Words | European Union ; United Nations ; Peacekeeping ; Lessons Learned ; Comprehensive Approach ; Africa |