ABSTRACT
This chapter assesses the establishment of the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission (UNPBC) and examines some of its interventions in Africa. The current peace-building environment has attracted a diverse range of actors, including humanitarian actors, development practitioners, peace-keeping and peace-building actors and stakeholders. The United Nations (UN) system and post-conflict environment are characterized by different actors all competing for limited resources. There is huge competition for funds between different international and regional actors in peace-building. A major operational weakness of the UNPBC has to do with the contention over who operationally controls it. There is no clear clarity following the principle of consensus whether the UNPBC is under the operational control of the UN or under the influence of the government in which it operates. The task of peace-building is one that needs primary attention on the African continent. Regional organizations such as the African Union and regional economic communities (RECs) have a significant contribution to make in this regard.
