Human Security and the Stabilization Mandate of MINUSCA

Abstract

This article looks narrowly at whether a 'human security' approach can be seen in a UN peace operation that pursues stabilization, namely the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). The UN's interpretation of stabilization has not been expressly set out, but stabilization missions typically work alongside the host state to extend state authority and use robust force to counter spoilers. Human security is a concept which is rights-based, promotes the 'vital core', has a concern for vulnerability, utilises preventative protection methods, and empowers local persons to have agency in the peace process. Attempts have been made to institutionalise and mainstream human security practices within the UN. An analytical framework of human security is outlined in this article and used to assess to what extent the mandate of MINUSCA pursues human security-based goals. An extensive review of UN documentation looks at the mandate and practice of MINUSCA and it is argued that the mission does seek to empower local people, engage in a bottom-up manner and entrench the rule of law. The analytical framework also casts light on aspects of the stabilization mandate which are problematic such as militarisation and cooperation with the host state.

UN peace operations in a multipolar order: Building peace through the rule of law and bottom-up approaches

“…Such stabilization is at the expense of peacebuilding (cf. Curran & Hunt, 2020;Gilder, 2020). Unlike two decades ago, when the goal was to implement peace agreements, peacekeepers today are primarily assisting states and their regimes in responding to non-state violent groups seen as antithetical to peace agreements (Peter, 2015, p. 358).…”

“…A number of scholars have analyzed the negative consequences of the turn to stabilization in recent missions in the DRC, Mali, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic (Gilder, 2020;Hunt, 2017;Tull, 2018). They highlight how the close relationship with the host government curtails the possibility for UN peacekeepers to hold these governments accountable, strengthening illiberal regimes instead of building stable states able and willing to respond to root causes of conflict drivers.…”

“…When it comes to form, international actors need to step back to allow national and local processes to work by empowering local peacebuilders. Experts in both the policy and academic community have identified constituent elements of current UN peace operations that would benefit from reform and strengthening, particularly those that encourage greater reliance on local peacebuilding practices and community engagement (Gilder, 2020;Mahmoud, 2020;Súilleabháin, 2015). This is not about romanticizing the local, as some of the earlier critiques of liberal peacebuilding did (cf.…”

Developing peace: the evolution of development goals and activities in United Nations peacekeeping

“…706-707). UN PKOs have also remained committed to promoting human rights in host states such as the Central African Republic, where MINUSCA has worked with UN Women to realize gender equality programmes (Gilder, 2021). A broad range of development-focused QIPs has also been realized across missions, with a view to boosting standards of living at the local level and, in so doing, winning support for peacekeeping efforts (Curran & Hunt, 2020, pp.…”

UN Peace Operations and the Role of the Local in (Re)Building the Rule of Law

“…38 This formed part of an overarching strategy for MINUSCA where it was believed a) international forces would be more effective if the penal system was re-established and b) there must be development and respect of human rights and the rule of law if the Central African Republic (CAR) is to have peace. 39 MINUSCA has also assisted with the refurbishment of courts and in less than one year from the mission's deployment courts in Bangui resumed their functions and magistrates were deployed to 12 out of 28 courts in other areas of the CAR. 40 By 2017, civil cases were being adjudicated by mobile courts supported by MINUSCA and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and criminal cases were being heard in Bangui.…”