| | Following the end of the cold war there developed a general perception that the United Nations would now be able to adopt a more enhanced role as the world's peacekeeper and peacemaker, especially if it enjoyed the support of the US. This view appeared to be vindicated following the successful US led UN operation to liberate Kuwait from Saddam Hussein in 1991. However, since then the reluctance of the West to become involved in Africa's conflicts unless it is for their own ends, points to establishing an African peacekeeping structure. Yet as this article demonstrates, the political and military structures are not yet in place, nor is there any likelihood that there is any organisation to fill the post-cold war security vacuum. |
