The UN bureaucracy needs to anticipate coming cuts and put forward proposals for troop reductions, while at the same time suggesting ambitious political strategies that could better and more sustainably contribute to protecting civilians in the medium term.
Author: Arthur Boutellis
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Slow progress in the peace process has not helped to decrease the appeal of jihadist groups, which have in the past served as a sort of military insurance policy against government forces, and have also provided lucrative illegal trafficking opportunities.
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The HIPPO report itself has already been criticized for not being “bold-enough,” too similar to its predecessors Agenda for Peace (1992) and Brahimi-report (2000), a reduced list of “technocratic” fixes, lacking an overall compelling narrative that could incite action and engagement, and for failing to crystallize the main points needed for a cohesive and effective strategy.
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The CMA signing the peace agreement represents an important and necessary step towards stabilization of Mali through a political and security agreement dealing with some of the root causes of the conflict.
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In the span of a few years, Chad has become a new regional power and a credible African voice.
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The crisis in Mali has exposed tensions between the AU and the UN.
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With a peacekeeping mission in Mali almost certain, opportunities abound for the UN to do things differently.
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The fact that neither the government nor the extra-parliamentary opposition wants to talk of a rebellion does not mean that there is no more violence in the country.
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Examining the role of MONUSCO in the fall of Goma is an opportunity for a radical change in the UN mission’s presence.
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A series of attacks during the summer risks has changed the security climate and could send security sector reform down the wrong path.
