Concept of developmental peace missions: implications for the military and civilians

Abstract

To overcome the mantra of ‘African solution for African problems’, Africa needs permanent institutions and means (and not makeshift committees, plug-and-play forces, and rosters of experts) to improve integrated planning and action in peace missions. This effort will not be easy to implement on the ground, however. It will require, firstly, taking risks to demonstrate early tangible results in operational theatres where the mix between conflict and peace is likely to shift back and forth. Secondly, it will demand the unity of effort of the diverse military and civilian actors involved in a mission. Thirdly, it will demand establishing dedicated institutions at the national, regional, and/or continental levels to improve coordination and planning among departments and agencies (including the military) in order to mobilise the appropriate resources required for international peace missions in a timely and more consistent manner. Lastly, and this is a critical point, it will demand the creation of a stand- by or standing civilian reconstruction capacity that can rapidly deploy with the military to make assessments of reconstruction needs and fast-track the delivery of basic services and essential infrastructure.