Role of Peace Keeping Missions in Promoting Peace and Security in Africa: a Case Study of Burundi

Abstract

International peace and security is one of the most crucial aspects in the world we live in today. However, there are many conflicts that are being witnessed today in Africa, in which most of them end up dividing the population in the aggressed state by undermining interpersonal and social trust, and consequently destroy the social norms, values and institutions that have regulated and coordinated cooperation and collective action for the well-being of the community. Furthermore, most attempts at resolving conflicts in Africa have failed. The failures of these effects are attributable to the lack of sufficient information regarding the nature of source of the conflicts. At times, conceptualized resolution mechanisms have escalated the problems instead of providing solutions, which complicate the situation even further. For instance, the case of Burundi, since it broke off all relations with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and declared its experts persona non grata, there are no observers left. Acts of violence can take place without any outside witnesses. People are living in fear, there is no justice, and the crimes we have documented are not punished. Different mechanisms of conflict resolution have failed to restore peace and stability in Burundi and even new wars are emerging. The conflicts and insecurity situation in Burundi continues to deteriorate by day. There are hardly any civil society organizations or media left in the country. Activists and independent journalists are living in exile. Therefore, it can be said that, conflict in Africa can be minimized in an environment that encourages substantive participation in the economic, political and economic realms.