Humanitarian Intervention in an evolving world order: the case of Iraq , Somalia,Kosovo and East Timor

The Chinese curse, "May you live in interesting times", seems to be borne out with a vengeance in recent years. From Afghanistan to Angola, from Bali to Bouake, and from Chechnya to the Congo, the World is racked by violent conflict. The reasons for this are manifold and include ethnocentric nationalism , ineffective and repressive governance, poverty and scarcity of resources. Whatever the causes triggering a specific violent conflagration , in an era of intra-state conflict, it is the most vulnerable who suffer as a result of this mindless violence. It is civilians and often the most vulnerable of these - women and children- who suffer the most from these conflicts. In the context of weak states unable to provide protection to their citizens, it becomes the responsibility of the international community to provide that protection through humanitarian intervention. Humanitarian intervention in the African context is particularly poignant given the ongoing carnage in the Great Lakes region and elsewhere on the continent Recent events in Cote d'Ivoire also reveal that in such conflicts it is impossible for state actors to serve as referees in a conflict in which they are also key players. Such conflicts are often characterised by complex humanitarian emergencies. In such circumstances, the watchword becomes partnership: partnerships between states and their respective civil society; partnership between states, sub-regional organisations such as ECOWAS and SADC, and between regional actors like the AU and the broader United Nations system. This is a theme that is repeatedly stressed in this important book-the first in a series of publications emanating from the Peace and Governance Programme of the African Institute of South Africa. In an increasingly globalizing world, the problems we share are often similar, though the magnitude and impact may vary. The dramatic and tragic events of 11 September 2001 underline this truism. As such it is imperative that we in Africa learn lesson from other regions in the world so as not to repeat their costly mistakes. In this, this book draws together lessons not only from African cases such as Somalia but also from further afield, such as Iraq and East Timor. We at the Africa Institute of South Africa hope that this publication is of use not only to academics but also to policy-makers. Ultimately, the Africa Institute prides itself on not only producing quality academic research but also policy-relevant research.