Importance of Peace and Military Force

Study Notes

Man has realized that peace is desirable and should be pursued at all times to enable a comfortable life.
One of the mechanisms of achieving peace is through military force, which involves the use of coercive instruments.

The military comprises individuals authorized by the government to carry instruments of coercion in the interest of the state.
The military is a vital and important institution in the life of any country, playing a role in preserving the country and safeguarding it from both external aggression and internal insurrection.
The military institution is continuously in the process of stabilizing society for orderly living.

The military institution has been utilized in conflict resolution, especially in situations where conflict has escalated to the height of warfare or armed combats.
Examples of conflict resolution through military intervention include Libya, Ivory Coast, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
Conflict theorists describe the roles of the military in conflict resolution as peacekeeping, peacemaking, and peace enforcement.

Peacekeeping involves keeping combatants from attacking each other by putting barriers between them.
These barriers are made up of neutral soldiers (peacekeepers) from the United Nations (UN) or a group of neutral nations (third parties).
The soldiers performing peacekeeping missions simply keep the two sides apart.
The United Nations has shown leadership in spearheading peacekeeping operations around conflict spots globally.
Peacekeeping soldiers are called "Men of blue helmets" and patrol areas are known as "blue lines".

Peacemaking is the process of forging a settlement between disputing parties.
Peacemaking can be done through direct negotiation or with a third-party mediator.
The third party assists with the process and communication problems, helping the parties work effectively together to draft a workable peace accord.
Peacemaking is not the final step in the peace process, requiring long-term peace building to bring peace to a region.

Peace enforcement operations occur when there is a mandate to enforce a cease-fire by taking coercive action against either party or both.
Peace enforcers are more heavily armed than peacekeeping forces, using force beyond self-defence.
Peace enforcement is necessary when a party becomes adamant and constitutes an obstacle to peace, failing to comply with peace agreements.
Examples of peace enforcement missions include the operation of ECOWAS Military Operations Group (ECOMOG) in Liberia and Sierra Leone, and UN operations in Libya and Ivory Coast.