ABSTRACT

This article examines the UNSC's multifaceted role in conflict prevention and settlement. It
emphasizes the concept of conflict prevention as a multi-faceted approach, covering operational,
structural, and systemic aspects. The article discusses the evolving strategies employed by the
UNSC in conflict prevention, with a special focus on the 2016 "sustaining peace" approach. The
article scrutinizes the challenges confronting UN conflict prevention efforts, including
sovereignty concerns and unforeseen consequences in humanitarian interventions.

This paper also examines the UNSC's crisis management focus and its effectiveness in resolving
international issues, notably during the Cold War. The UN Security Council's conflict prevention
efforts are examined using case studies. These case studies explain the UN's collaborative
peacebuilding tactics in Burkina Faso, Colombia, Kyrgyzstan, Guyana, and Liberia.

Overall, this article underscores the vital role played by the UNSC in addressing global conflicts,
advancing peace, and nurturing international stability. It highlights the significance of a nuanced
and multi-pronged strategy for conflict prevention and resolution, reflecting the dynamic nature
of international relations.

INTRODUCTION
The UNSC is very formal and serious in preventing wars and practising preventative diplomacy.
The UN Charter requires conflict prevention by all peace and security, development, and human
rights actors. Crisis management has been a priority for the UNSC, a major conflict prevention
player.1 It is vital to highlight that the UNSC also prevents violent wars. According to the
Charter, Secretary-General António Guterres promotes peace. He consistently aids Member
States in crisis prevention. A comprehensive UN conflict prevention strategy examines and
mitigates structural issues and acute threats. Institutional strengthening, gender equality, and
preventive diplomacy are employed to deter violence. 2 The United Nations leverages the
1
Security Council (no date) United Nations. Available at: https://www.un.org/en/model-united-nations/security-
council#:~:text=They%20are%20to%20refrain%20from,time%2C%20whenever%20peace%20is%20threatened.
(Accessed: 09 November 2023).
2
Role of the Security Council peacekeeping (no date) United Nations. Available at:
https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/role-of-security-council (Accessed: 09 November 2023).
deployment of Special Envoys, specialized Political Missions, Peacekeeping Operations,
Regional Offices, Mediation Experts, and Resident Coordinators as integral components of its
endeavors aimed at upholding global peace and security. The avoidance of conflicts absolutely
requires all of these various techniques. The UN aggressively promotes inclusive, gender-
sensitive practises. This includes supporting election procedures and reconciliation initiatives to
promote peace. The introduction summarises the UNSC's formal and comprehensive conflict
prevention role. It shows the UNSC's diversified approach and multiple tools for promoting
global peace and stability.3

CONFLICT RESOLUTION- A MULTI-DIMENSIONAL CONCEPT

Conflict prevention is a multi-dimensional concept encompassing efforts to avert violent
conflicts from erupting, escalating, or recurring. It includes three primary forms of prevention
operational prevention, structural prevention, and systemic prevention. Operational prevention
involves early warning systems, preventative diplomacy, sanctions, and preventive army
deployments to stop violent confrontations. Structural prevention covers political and
economical variables that may cause long-term conflicts. Climate change, illicit money flows,
and international organised crime are systemic hazards that systemic prevention addresses. 4

The UNSC helps avert all three forms of war. It is well known for operational prevention, using
several tools to avoid imminent confrontations. In recent years, the UNSC has focused more on
structural prevention, post-conflict peacebuilding, and socioeconomic development. Cross-
border risks including organised crime, HIV/AIDS, and climate change all affect security,
according to the council. Since peacekeeping is expensive and different from conflict prevention,
this article focuses on the UNSC's rising interest in conflict prevention rather than
peacekeeping.5

3
Maintain international peace and security (no date) United Nations. Available at: https://www.un.org/en/our-
work/maintain-international-peace-and-security (Accessed: 09 November 2023).
4
Colin Keating, “Non-Paper for Opening Plenary Meeting, Prevention of Conflict,” June 3, 2008, in IPI Blue Paper
No. 7, Conflict Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect, 2009, pp. 31-39
5
Elizabeth M. Cousens, “Conflict Prevention,” in The UN Security Council: From the Cold War to the 21st
Century, edited by David M. Malone (Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner, 2004), pp. 105-107.
 CHALLENGES TO UN CONFLICT PREVENTION EFFORTS
The principal obstacles confronting the United Nations (UN) and the UN Security Council's
initiatives in conflict prevention center on apprehensions related to the misuse of national
sovereignty, coupled with inquiries into underlying motivations and unanticipated ramifications
within the sphere of humanitarian interventions. These concerns have been amplified by recent
events, such as the operations in Libya and Côte d’Ivoire, where it was feared that interventions
designed to protect civilians evolved into regime change efforts, potentially harming the very
human protection norms they aimed to uphold. This has led to enduring worries about violations
of state sovereignty and suspicions about the underlying motivations for employing military
force for humanitarian purposes.6 The complexity and unpredictability of military interventions
in these contexts have raised doubts. In addition, there is uncertainty regarding the financial
support for initiatives aimed at conflict prevention. This stems from the challenge faced by
certain donor nations in rationalizing these financial outlays to their domestic electorate. This
challenge is compounded by the intricacies inherent in substantiating the concrete effects of
preventive endeavors and validating that conflict did not ensue as a consequence of preventive
measures.

There is dissatisfaction among certain diplomats about the conflict prevention efforts that have
been proposed by the United Nations Security Council. These diplomats argue that words have
been prioritised above actions. Critics who question the council's endeavours to avoid conflicts
highlight systemic inequalities and formalistic strategies. A notable criticism pertains to the veto
power of permanent members, which has the potential to sway and obstruct council reactions to
emerging threats.7 A second criticism is that genuine debate and participation are impeded by the
council's formal working procedures. Moreover, there are individuals who maintain the
perspective that the Ad Hoc Working Group on Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa
possesses the potential for a more significant impact on the conflict prevention initiatives

6
Arthur A. Goldsmith, “Democracy in the 21st Century: What Can the United States Do?”, Whitehead Journal of
Diplomacy and International Relations, Vol. VIII, No.2 (Summer/Fall 2007), 65-72
7
United Nations Police Handbook: UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations.
orchestrated by the council. These considerations reflect a prevailing skepticism concerning the
council's contribution to the realm of global peace and security.8

HISTORICAL FOCUS OF UNSC ON CRISIS MANAGEMENT

Between 1989 and 1996, a total of 62 disputes were identified, with a remarkable 49% of them
referred to the United Nations (UN), marking the second-highest referral rate in the
organization's history, following the 57% rate observed during the 1966 to 1970 period. Among
the 32 disputes not referred to the UN, 16% of them were settled through mediation or
negotiations, while 12% petered out, leaving 72% unresolved. 9 This trend aligns with the
findings that the proportion of unresolved conflicts in non-referred cases has continuously
decreased since 1960.10 During the post-Cold War years, the UN exhibited notable success, with
partial or great success achieved in 97% of the conflicts referred to it. However, the nature of
these resolutions was largely dependent on the involvement of member state political leadership,
with 80% of the disputes settled through collaboration with other international organizations or
nations. Notably, the United States played a pivotal role in resolving conflicts, often stepping in
when the UN faced challenges.11 In the latter part of this period (1994-1996), the UN's
effectiveness slightly waned, underscoring the importance of superpower involvement. With the
limited engagement of superpowers like Russia, the US, as the sole remaining superpower, has
carried a heavier burden in mediating international disputes. 12 The reluctance of the US to engage
in conflicts that do not directly impact its interests, coupled with Russia's constrained
international role, has diminished the UN's ability to resolve conflicts that lack major power
support, signifying a shift in global dynamics.

8
Goldsmith, “Democracy in the 21st Century: What Can the United States Do?”, 67.
9
Army Headquarters Training Support Command (Land) ‘FCO UN Training Strategy’ 23 November 2001.
10
Moore and Parker, Critical Thinking, 18.
11
Chinmaya R. Gharekhan, The Horseshoe Table: An Inside View of the UN Security Council, (Pataparganj, New
Delhi: Dorling Kindersley, 2006), 313.
12
David Zarefsky, Argumentation: The Study of Effective Reasoning, 2nd Edition, Parts I, Lecture One.
 RECENT ACTIVITIES OF UNSC IN CONFLICT PREVENTION
The UN's conflict prevention efforts included regional collaborations, national and local
mediation, gender and inclusion in peacebuilding and preventive diplomacy. These endeavours
sought to avert violence, maintain peace, and foster national stability and progress.

Burkina Faso
Conflict prevention in Burkina Faso was vital for the UN. Several elements, including a
designated regional political office with a recognised leader, helped the UN succeed. A UN
ambassador sent coordinated statements from key players quickly and extensively. Partnerships
with regional organisations and diplomats aided the UN's preventative efforts.13

Colombia
Colombia suffered six decades of war, resulting in many deaths and relocation. Peace talks have
failed many times. In the early 21st century, the UN addressed the conflict's causes, documented
human rights abuses, and provided humanitarian aid. Official FARC-EP peace negotiations
began in 2012. Community peace process engagement was promoted by UN and national
partners at several events. In 2016, a landmark accord saw the UN continue to promote peace
implementation and sustainability.14

Kyrgyzstan
The 2010 Kyrgyzstan crisis included huge demonstrations and bloodshed. A fact-finding team
and UN ambassador engaged with players and urged moderation, making a crucial
contribution.15 After the president resigned and an interim government assumed control, the UN
offered on-the-ground good offices assistance to stabilise the nation and restore legitimacy. After
inter-ethnic violence began, the UN worked with the EU, OSCE, and UN Country Team to stop
it.16

13
“Best Practices and Recommendations for Improving the Effectiveness of United Nations Sanctions”, United
Nations, New York, 2007.
14
Tom Hill, “Kofi Annan’s multilateral strategy of mediation and the Syrian crisis: The future of peacemaking in a
multipolar world?”, International Negotiation 20, 3 (2015).
15
Thomas Biersteker, Rebecca Brubaker and David Lanz, UN Sanctions and Mediation: Establishing Evidence to
Inform Practice (New York: United Nations University 2019): 9-10.
16
International Policy Institute, King’s College London, A Review of Peace Operations: A Case for Change, 2003.
Guyana
The UN addressed national election tensions in Guyana. Regional connections, especially with
CARICOM, are crucial. The UN DPA, UNDP, and OHCHR sent a mission to Guyana in 2002.
This mission created the Social Cohesion Programme (SCP) to develop national peaceful conflict
resolution skills. The SCP helped peaceful elections succeed.17

Liberia
Liberia saw two violent civil conflicts from 1989 to 2003. Peace restoration relied on the UN,
regional allies, and international initiatives. The Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) of
2003 established UNMIL in Liberia. Troops, police, and civilian specialists from UNMIL were
to help the Transitional Government restore security, supervise disarmament, and facilitate
elections. In 2016, UNMIL turned over complete security duties to Liberia following a gradual
withdrawal, ending 15 years of UN help to avoid war return.18

CONCLUSION
In recent years, conflict prevention has gained popularity in the Security Council, UN system,
and other multilateral and bilateral players. DPA's horizon-scanning sessions, post conflict peace
building, and Security Council involvement with systemic challenges to peace and security have
shown this interest. It is too early to say whether this is a fleeting phase caused by the expense
and overstretch of UN peacekeeping or if interest and action will continue. 19 The council's recent
conflict-prevention work is good and should be maintained, even if it adds to its already hefty
short- and medium-term agenda. Developing better conflict-prevention measures before violent
conflict bursts, intensifies, or reignites has two benefits. It would immediately avoid or reduce
bloodshed from the postponed conflict. It may also assist the council manage its workload so that
conflict-management problems don't grow too many and complicated.

17
Ibid.
18
Security Council Report, The Peacebuilding Commission and the Security Council: From Cynicism to Synergy?:
10.
19
Ibid.