ABSTRACT
Since the early 1990s, there has been an immense evolution in peace operations, in policies, mandates, scope and function. Where traditional peacekeeping previously focused on ensuring security and stability – now restructuring the security sector; protecting civilians; supporting disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of ex-combatants; increasing democratic space, institution-building and good governance – are all core to the UN mandates – in short building peace. In addition, there has been a drive towards more ‘robust’ peacekeeping. Similarly, the expectations of the UN to solve conflicts have altered. There has been a growth both vertically and horizontally of multi-dimensional peacekeeping challenges and thus the need for sophisticated solutions. The policy developments and capacities to address these challenges have increased in the UN, yet in tandem there remains considerable policy-operational gaps.
