ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the case of Guinea-Bissau, analyzing the role of the United Nations(UN) Peacebuilding Architecture (PBA), the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), Peacebuilding Fund (PBF), and Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO) in stabilizing the country and promoting development. Analyzing the case of Guinea-Bissau is important not only because it is one of the six countries on the PBC agenda, but also because its somewhat awkward fit with the PBC's 2005 mandate sheds light on both the capacities and shortcomings of the UN mechanisms. The chapter analyses how Guinea-Bissau entered the PBC's agenda, in light of the country's chronic political instability and persistent poverty. The author's then analyze the UN peacebuilding mechanisms' impact in Guinea Bissau, and finally we look at how those experiences have in turn shaped discussions about peacebuilding at the UN.
