ABSTRACT
The United Nations (UN) and its affiliated organizations are deeply implicated in the security of African peoples in a great variety of ways. Of course, the fundamental goal of the United Nations is to protect international peace and security. Yet the prevention and resolution of international, or inter-state, conflicts has proved to be one of the least important activities of the UN in Africa, although it has sometimes played that role there. Rather, two other categories of UN activities have come to dominate the organization's Africa operations. One is that set of activities that has to do with the development and human rights, especially the social and economic rights whose realization usually results from economic development. The other is that set of activities that has to do with people's welfare in the midst of civil war and related forms of social unrest, especially rebellion or secessionism.
