Thesis (MA) - Cyprus International University. Institute of Graduate Studies and Research International Relations Department

Includes bibliography (sheets 92-98)

ABSTRACT
The study reviewed that Africa's main cause of internal conflict is the lack of
democracy. It is essential to considerate the colonial past of Africa and its
Balkanization cannot be invisible n referring to internal instability. According to
Okoye, political uncertainty is rooted by the construction of society and newest
countries, of the colonial past. Nonetheless, many identity, economic, political and
ethnic challenges mostly played a role in the country’s violence. The predominant has
remained a significant in post-independence countries. For many African countries,
such as Liberia and Sierra Leone, the dreams that came with their country's
independence have so far primarily come to pass as their area remains devastated by
wars and catastrophic loss of lives and property. Africa is mostly troubled by internal
crisis and catastrophic consequences.
Conflict is a serious insecurity problem in Africa and it continues to have the greatest
number of armed violence more than any continent. Nevertheless, countries have been
able to overcome obstacles on the path from war to peace thanks to in intervention of
ECOWAS and United Nations peacekeeping. It has unique strength and legality
through sharing and has the ability to organize troops and police from around the world
by assimilating with civilian peacekeepers to address a variety of mandates set by UN
the Security Council and General Assembly. These civil war embedded Johan Galtung
conflict triangle and peacebuilding triangle and is seen as a fundamental example of
Mary kaldor ideology of the new war theory. The two countries share the same borders
which their crisis where intertwine. It was greatly orchestrated as a result of grievance,
greed, discrimination and marginalization within these nations while tackling it from
its colonial period.
These two African countries suffered immensely from crisis, acute coups, political
instability and underdevelopment. Which attract intervention of the Economic
Community West African States (ECOWAS), led to various forms of peace accord
and eventually brought about democratic ruling, peace, stability and development as
well as unity among the people with the series of peacebuilding mechanisms that was
implemented by the international communities. The Sierra Lone and Liberian violence
somehow tested the ability of the international communities while promoting security
and peace while maintain humanitarian operations, based on the numeral challenges
the international communities experience.
It Assess the effectiveness of ECOWAS and the United Nations peacekeeping in
Liberia and Sierra Leone. Examine the successful implementation of peacekeeping and
peacebuilding missions in Sierra Leone and Liberia conflict. It was also to evaluate
programs set by United Nations, and ECOWAS to end the conflict ensure that there is
peace and stability in the countries. These organizations make recommendations to
address the problems and sustain the peace of the nations. With the collective support
from the citizens, international NGOs and local NGOs they all help in in the process
of building and transforming the society through programs they created.
Keywords: Civil war, ECOWAS, Liberia, Peacekeeping, Peace building, Sierra
Leone, United Nations.