The United Nations
Set up in 1945 after the Second World War to try and prevent future wars.
It is an international organisation with 192 member nations.
They try to find solutions to disputes through a process of conflict resolution and reconciliation.
What the UN does to try and resolve conflict, protect human rights and prevent war:
1. Organising peace talks
2. Arms control and disarmament.
3. Trade restrictions – the UN organises for trade to be restricted with aggressive countries.
4. Peacekeeping forces – the UN can vote for forces to be sent into dangerous areas to try and prevent violence.
5. Military action – the UN has power to use armed force against aggressive countries.
A case study: The United Nations in Darfur
Negotiation
· Fighting broke out in March 2003, but the UN didn’t find out about it for several months.
· The UN’s requests for negotiation between anti-government groups in the Darfur region and the Sudanese government began with little success.
· In May 2004 there was a breakthrough when the Sudanese government met with the UN Secretary General.
· The talks led to a joint agreement between the UN and the Sudanese government to stop the conflict in Darfur.
· The government agreed to talk to the anti-government groups and disarm the Janjaweed.
· They didn’t do either of these things.
· The UN continues to get both sides to talk to each other, but so far no agreement has worked to end the war.
· The UN’s requests for negotiation between anti-government groups in the Darfur region and the Sudanese government began with little success.
· In May 2004 there was a breakthrough when the Sudanese government met with the UN Secretary General.
· The talks led to a joint agreement between the UN and the Sudanese government to stop the conflict in Darfur.
· The government agreed to talk to the anti-government groups and disarm the Janjaweed.
· They didn’t do either of these things.
· The UN continues to get both sides to talk to each other, but so far no agreement has worked to end the war.
Threat of sanctions
The UN has not been able to get enough votes to stop trading with Sudan.
This is because several countries rely on trade with Sudan and therefore would not vote for sanctions against them.
Some people also argue that sanctions would make the Sudanese government stop attending peace talks and make them stop letting aid through to the people who need it.
The UN has threatened sanctions – especially to stop Sudan trading its oil – and this has proved effective in getting the government to do some things.
Peacekeeping forces
A small peacekeeping force – 300 – from the African Union was allowed into Darfur in August 2004.
In June 2007 after constant negotiation, it was agreed that a combined peacekeeping force from the UN and the African Union of 26,000 troops and police officers would to be sent into Darfur.
As of March 2009 only 15,000 of those troops are in place. They have come under attack from both sides, but have had some success protecting civilians.
In June 2007 after constant negotiation, it was agreed that a combined peacekeeping force from the UN and the African Union of 26,000 troops and police officers would to be sent into Darfur.
As of March 2009 only 15,000 of those troops are in place. They have come under attack from both sides, but have had some success protecting civilians.
Success or failure?
· The UN has managed to reduce the number and frequency of killings.
· The UN has once again organised peace talks between the warring sides.
· However, many people feel that the UN’s failure to get everyone to vote the same way has meant that they have not had very much success.