Peacekeeping

Abstract

Maintaining world peace was always seen as a primary object of the United Nations; deciding when and how to intervene remains the crucial test for the Security Council. According to the UN Charter, member states must settle their disputes by peaceful means and in such a way that international peace, security and justice are not endangered or threatened. Member states are to refrain from the threat or use of force against other member states; the Security Council is the UN organ primarily responsible for maintaining peace and security and under Article 25 of the Charter member states agree to accept and carry out the Council’s decisions. Peacekeeping operations are mounted to help control conflicts which arise between members to threaten international peace; such operations are meant to be impartial and can only be mounted with the consent of the warring governments concerned. The object of a peacekeeping operation is to create a ceasefire and then, after establishing a buffer zone between the warring parties, facilitate the search for a peaceful settlement of the dispute by diplomatic and mediatory channels.