A Study on the Post-conflict Peacebuilding Operations by Regional Organizations: A Case Study of RAMSI

Abstract

In the twentieth century, the international society has witnessed numerous cases of gross human rights violation and it has responded with peace-related operations. Up to date, most of the operations were carried out by the United Nations (UN) in a multilateral form where participating countries do not share regional commonalities with the country in question, raising questions of effectiveness. Chapter VIII of the UN Charter stipulates that regional organizations can also lead peace-related operations within the limits of the international law.

The Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) is a peacebuilding operation implemented by a regional arrangement, Pacific Islands Forum. It was led by Australia with the participation of Pacific island countries. Ten years of its operation aimed at rebuilding Solomon Islands to prevent its failure is considered a success. This thesis analyzes RAMSI with a focus on Australia through the lens of Conflict Transformation perspective to reveal the contributing factors of its success as a regional peacebuilding operation.

This thesis concludes that RAMSI operated with four advantages by virtue of being a regional peacebuilding operation: i) adaptability to local context, ii) effective decision-making and clear line of accountability, iii) light control and iv) long-term commitment of participating countries. Such advantages that derive from its regional character greatly facilitated its operation and enabled its achievement in the short-, mid- and long-term.

Key words: Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI), Solomon Islands, Australia, peacebuilding operation, regional organization, regional arrangement