- Group Two corresponds to countries with internal major conflicts: Afghanistan, Somalia, Eritrea, Haiti, Iraq, Liberia, Georgia, East Timor, Solomon Islands and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The special cases are: Angola and Burundi.
Group Two corresponds to countries with internal major conflicts and/or countries that still struggling as a result of a former (but latent) internal conflict. Geographically, they are located all over the globe, and they are islands and non-islands. Also, all of them have received one or more peacekeeping operation (UN, NATO, regional or country-led). The reasons why these countries do not participate with troops in UN peacekeeping operations are due to their internal conflicts, which have destroyed their infrastructure. Many of the countries participated in UN peacekeeping operations as contributors (but no troops), but due to internal conflicts they became a threat to international security and a peacekeeping mission is currently on their territories.
With regards the UN/UN peacekeeping policy reform, these countries do not actively participate in the politics of UN or DPKO reform. The reasons are obvious, because internally there are major priorities such as ensuring security for citizens, negotiating peace agreements, and many other issues.
With regards the perception of peacekeeping, for some peacekeeping is seen as neocolonialism, while others view it as humanitarian assistance. But as a general rule, once peace starts building up, the perception of peacekeeping operations turns positive for both sides of the conflict.
With regards the domestic political environment, it is characterized by undeveloped governmental institutions (sometimes, they do not even exist), the lack of law and order, foreign intervention (UN, NATO, country-led peace operation), and the presence of many humanitarian aid organizations.
With regards the domestic economic environment, it is precarious and normally controlled by the black and gray economy. Also, in some cases the main priority for the government is to secure that basic human needs are covered. For example, “In Eritrea, prioritizing development has been the main issue” (EIU 2006p, 14). “Eritrean economic policy has focused on developing infrastructure and improving food security, both with little success” (Ibid.).
With regards to military affairs, their armies are divided and poorly trained. The military has played a large role in the internal conflicts. Demobilization, disarmament, rehabilitation and reintegration (DDRR) process are part of their military objectives in order to achieve peace.
Foreign policy is primarily directed to keep receiving international aid. For example, “the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) emerged from years of international isolation after the assassination of Laurent Kabila in 2001, and major donors are now actively engaged with the DRC including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, the EU, the US, the UK and France” (EIU 2006n, 17).
The rest of the variables of the data collection process have no significant impact on the willingness to send troops to UN peace operations: 1) Independent negotiations taken by DPKO to seek troops, 2) Independent negotiations taken by contributor countries to engage non-contributor countries, and 3) Meetings organized by other international organizations to engage in dialogue about peacekeeping, and 4) Climate changes.
There are two special cases (Angola and Burundi). Both have shown interest in participating in UN peace operations. Thus, Angola and Burundi are special cases because besides the fact that both countries are emerging from conflict, both have stated their interest to contribute troops to UN peacekeeping operations. Angola’s main motivation is the desire to play a larger security role in its region. Nevertheless, Angola has been questioned about its democratic credentials. Burundi’s motivation has been stated as the desire to use peacekeeping as a tool for conflict resolution through the creation of a joint-force with Rwanda. This is particularly unique, because this country has been the only one using that argument with regards to the use of peacekeeping. Thus, engaging in a peace agreement and having troops is not only a condition that makes the countries qualify for participating in UN peacekeeping operations. The countries must also demonstrate that they have the moral credibility to work under the UN flag.
