Defence Forces Review 2008

Defence Forces Review 2008
failed to provide sustainable alternative livelihoods for ex-combatants. The majority of excombatants
are still unemployed and thousands have regrouped for the purpose of illegally
exploiting natural resources. 42 UNMIL continues to collect and destroy items of ordnance,
voluntarily surrendered, or discovered during search operations.
Co n c l u s i o n
UNMIL has had a great impact on Liberia since its deployment and the execution of its
mandate has been achieved in the broad sense. As the ‘latest’ generation of UN peacekeeping
operations it has encapsulated many of the recommendations in the Brahimi Report. The
mission has deployed with greater vision and goals than previous UN operations. The scope
of the mandate and the mission objectives provide Liberia with a greater chance for a new
stable beginning and the conditions for a sustainable peace.
The issues that still remain as obstacles to success for all UN endeavours are far greater that
the restructuring of the deployments, the enhanced DPKO and more robust mission profiles.
The issues that still prevent real change are issues that cannot be addressed by committees
or reports, but will only change through consensus of all the vested interests. The UN’s 192
members have 192 different and individual agendas and self interest will play a part in all
decisions. Smaller members can be influenced by larger members and regional relationships
will often play a major role in their decision making process. In 1990 Yemen voted against
the United States action in Iraq. The United States called this the most expensive no vote in
history, and cut off aid to Yemen. When the smaller member states of the UN are treated, as
Yemen was, how much impartiality and freedom of member states actually exists in the UN
system when the larger members can be in a position to manipulate and pressure smaller more
vulnerable states
The Security Council established at the foundation of the UN must be included in the change
processes at the UN. The essentially static nature of the Security Councils structure has had
a negative impact on peacekeeping operations, often as a result of the self-interest of UN
member states. The existence of the Security Council’s veto system must change significantly
if the UN is to reform to meet the ever-changing global landscape. It must be accepted that
changing the Security Councils structure will be the most difficult task undertaken by the UN,
but Global politics and the financial needs of the UN will all influence the pace, if any, of
change involving the Security Council.
The financial situation at the UN has resulted in the reduction of necessary funding for projects
in Liberia. The sustainability of projects, such as DDRR, must be assured if these projects are to
be successful. The peace-building model enables a UN force to provide stability and security,
which then facilitates other agencies conduct activities to enhance the chance of sustainable
peace and a return to a just society. Many of the UN Progress report highlight shortages in
funding for essential programmes. The Rehabilitation and Reintegration of ex combatants
has funding difficulties, resulting in many of the disarmed ex-combatants becoming involved
in criminal activities. As of 30 November 2007, the member’s arrears to the UN’s regular
budget topped $735 million, of which the United States alone owed $688 million or 94% of
the regular budget arrears. 43
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