Role of sub-regionalorganizations in humanitarian intervention: a case study of ECOWAS in Sierra Leone, 1997-2000.

Abstract

Throughout the Cold War, most conflicts were influenced, funded or incited by proxy wars between the then competing ideologies of the West and the Soviet Union. During this period, the UN's role was focused mainly on those areas that the world powers hard little interest in and was able therefore to contribute effectively. After the fall of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War, there has been a remarkable shift in the nature of conflicts away from inter-state towards intra-states. These new conflicts have resulted in massive suffering of civilians as illustrated by the Rwandan genocide of 1994 and the ongoing conflict in Darfur.

The UN as the global organization with the mandate of the maintenance of international peace and security has not responded effectively to these new challenges, largely due to the increasing number of conflicts and its inherent weaknesses. This study was intended to establish the role of sub regional organizations in the prevention of human suffering through humanitarian intervention. To establish this role, the study has focused on relevant literature on humanitarian intervention and has carried out critical analysis of the ECOWAS intervention in Sierra Leone between 1998 and 2000.

The ECOWAS conflict resolution efforts in Sierra Leone were particularly instrumental in the restoration of a democratic government and the creation of favorable conditions for the deployment of a follow-on UN peacekeeping force. The efforts by the African Union in establishing a continental security architecture that is anchored on five sub regional security mechanisms reinforces the importance of the role of sub regional organizations in humanitarian intervention.

The study has established that sub-regional organizations are best placed to undertake humanitarian intervention in response to human rights violations as they have comparative advantage in many ways. Their proximity to a conflict guarantees timely response to crises and are more committed to resolution of local conflicts compared to external actors. However sub regional organizations face many challenges ranging from political, structural, financial and planning constraints. The successes of sub-regional intervention efforts therefore require support particularly from the United Nations.

The support by the United Nations is fundamental in the enhancement of sub­ regional organizations' effectiveness in undertaking collective security functions. A cooperative approach will help the United Nations Security Council to focus on its broader role of the maintenance of international peace and security while allowing sub­ regional organizations optimize their comparative advantage of managing local conflicts on its behalf. Further empowering sub-regional organizations could help in reducing the UN's burden of dealing with humanitarian crises.