Definition of Conflict

Management
• Conflict management encompasses various strategies and approaches used to resolve
disputes and mitigate tensions before they escalate into severe hostilities. It seeks to
address the root causes of conflict while fostering understanding, cooperation, and
peaceful coexistence among parties.

• Core Techniques in Conflict Management:

• - Negotiation: Direct discussions between conflicting parties to reach an agreement. It’s
widely used in both international diplomacy and corporate settings.
• - Mediation: Involves a neutral third party to facilitate a resolution. International
mediators like UN representatives have played roles in conflicts such as the Israeli-
Palestinian negotiations.
• - Arbitration: A neutral party makes a binding decision, commonly used in labor and
commercial disputes.
• - Reconciliation and Dialogue:Encourages forgiveness and understanding, such as South
Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission post-Apartheid.

• Importance of Conflict Management: Effective conflict management prevents wars,

promotes social stability, and fosters sustainable economic development by reducing
the costs and damages associated with conflict.
 Role of the United Nations in
Conflict Management
• The UN’s role in conflict management combines preventive diplomacy, peacekeeping,
humanitarian aid, and post-conflict rebuilding.

• 1. Preventive Diplomacy: This involves early intervention to prevent the escalation of

tensions. The UN Secretary-General and Special Envoys engage with conflicting parties
to encourage dialogue. For instance, in 2008, the UN helped broker a peace deal in
Kenya following post-election violence, stabilising the country through preventive
diplomacy.
• 2. Peacekeeping Operations: UN peacekeepers maintain peace and security in conflict
zones. Examples include UNIFIL in Lebanon, established in 1978 to oversee the
withdrawal of Israeli forces, and MINUSMA in Mali, which seeks to stabilise the region
amidst Islamist insurgency. Peacekeepers are often unarmed and focus on monitoring,
reporting, and building local confidence.
• 3. Humanitarian Assistance: UN agencies such as UNICEF, UNHCR, and the World Food
Programme provide critical resources to conflict-affected areas. During the Syrian
conflict, these agencies provided food, water, shelter, and medical aid to millions
displaced by the war.
• 4. Peace building and Reconstruction: The UN’s Peace-building Fund supports post-
conflict countries in stabilising governance, rebuilding infrastructure, and supporting
economic recovery. In Liberia, after 14 years of civil war, UN peace-building efforts
included support for the democratic process, police reform, and economic stability.
• 5. Promotion of Human Rights: The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
(OHCHR) and the International Criminal Court (ICC) promote accountability by
investigating war crimes and human rights abuses. The ICC has indicted leaders from
Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo for atrocities committed in conflicts.
 Reasons for the
Formation of the UN
• The UN was founded in response to the devastations of
World War II with several guiding goals:

• 1. Preventing Global Conflicts: The failure of the League

of Nations to prevent WWII highlighted the need for an
organisation with enforceable authority. The UN was
established to address disputes early on and avoid
global conflicts.
• 2. Promoting International Cooperation: The UN fosters
collaboration on issues like economic growth, social
development, and environmental sustainability,
recognising that poverty, inequality, and environmental
degradation can fuel conflicts.
• 3. Safeguarding Human Rights: After witnessing human
rights abuses during WWII, the UN aimed to protect
individual rights universally. The adoption of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 was a
historic step, setting standards for global human rights.
• 4. Providing Humanitarian Aid and Support: The UN was
also formed to mobilise global resources during crises
and disasters. Agencies like UNHCR and WFP address
humanitarian needs worldwide, whether from natural
disasters or armed conflict.
 Structure of the
United Nations
• The structure of the UN is designed to ensure representation and
accountability across six main organs:

• 1. General Assembly: Serves as a deliberative body where all 193 member

states have equal representation. Its resolutions are non-binding but have
substantial symbolic weight. Notable examples include the 2015 Paris
Climate Agreement, where UN General Assembly discussions helped build
consensus.
• 2. Security Council: This 15-member body is responsible for maintaining
international peace and security. The permanent five members—China,
France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—have veto
power. The Council authorises peacekeeping missions and sanctions. An
example of its work is the authorisation of force in Korea (1950) and
peacekeeping missions like UNMISS in South Sudan.
• 3. International Court of Justice (ICJ): Known as the World Court, it handles
legal disputes between countries and provides advisory opinions. One
landmark case was the 1986 Nicaragua v. United States case, where the ICJ
found that the U.S. had violated international law by supporting Contra
rebels.
• 4. Secretariat: This administrative organ supports the UN’s daily operations
and is led by the Secretary-General. The Secretariat implements the
decisions of other UN bodies, from peacekeeping missions to sustainable
development initiatives.
• 5. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC): Oversees economic, social, and
environmental projects, collaborating with specialised agencies like WHO
and UNESCO. It has been instrumental in addressing global poverty,
education, and health crises.
• 6. Trusteeship Council: Originally tasked with overseeing the transition of
colonies to independence, it ceased operations in 1994 after fulfilling its
mission.
 Evaluating the Effectiveness of the UN
in Managing Post-WWII Conflicts

• The UN’s effectiveness in post-WWII conflict management is a topic of both praise and criticism:

• 1. Successes: The UN has achieved significant success in peacekeeping and mediation. In Cambodia, the UN
organised elections in 1993 that ended decades of civil war. In Sierra Leone, a UN mission helped end a brutal
civil war in 2002 by disarming fighters and supporting reconstruction.
• 2. Challenges: The veto power of the Security Council’s five permanent members often limits action in critical
conflicts. In Syria, for example, Russia’s veto has prevented collective action, leading to prolonged violence
and humanitarian crises. The UN’s reliance on member state contributions can also restrict its resources,
causing delays in urgent responses.
• 3. Reforms for Improvement: Efforts to reform the UN include calls for expanding the Security Council and
reevaluating the veto power to improve its responsiveness. Proposals have also been made to increase the
focus on preventive diplomacy and strengthen peace-building initiatives.
• 4. Modern Adaptations: The UN’s adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) reflects a modern
understanding that reducing poverty, promoting education, and addressing inequality contribute to peace.
The Women, Peace, and Security agenda, emphasising the role of women in peace processes, has been a
transformative step toward inclusive peace-building.

• While the UN has struggled with limitations, particularly in high-stakes conflicts involving major powers, its
peacekeeping, humanitarian, and developmental work remains vital to global stability. The UN’s continued
evolution and adaptability, along with potential reforms, are essential to maintaining its effectiveness in the
future.
THANK
YOU
Chris koome Humanities
notes: