UN Panels of Experts and UN Peace Operations

September 17, 2010

Drawing on research and interviews conducted in Côte d'Ivoire, DRC, Liberia, Washington, and New York, UN Panels of Experts and UN Peace Operations: Exploiting Synergies for Peacebuilding examines cooperation between Panels and peace operations for those countries, the potential synergies that cooperation already brings to international peacebuilding efforts in those settings, and the challenges that sanctions present for donors.

Because the various Security Council resolutions that mandate sanctions, peace operations and Panels of Experts clearly delineate mutually reinforcing objectives, this report works from the assumption that increased cooperation between Panels and peace operations would advance the cause of peace and security in the places where these entities both work.

Since 2006, the Future of Peace Operations (FOPO) program has contributed to independent research on improving the United Nations' capacity to build the rule of law, especially in countries where it deploys peace support operations. In particular, Stimson has looked at the role of spoilers in derailing peace processes and the operational responses at the UN Security Council's disposal in responding to such threats. Stimson's initial research found that the Security Council frequently uses two distinct but related operational tools: UN peace support operations and Panels of Experts, which are small investigative teams appointed to monitor targeted sanctions imposed on peace spoilers. In its previous report on this topic, Targeting Spoilers: the Role of United Nations Panels of Experts, Alix Boucher and Victoria Holt shed light on these expert Panels and the challenges they face, and offered suggestions for ensuring that their numerous findings and recommendations receive follow up.

Based on that research, this report highlights the benefits and challenges of cooperation, and offers recommendations for improving the way these two Security Council tools work with each other, with Member States, and with the Security Council. In doing so, the report seeks to catalyze a more strategic approach to peacebuilding by the Security Council.

This study is one of five FOPO studies on essential aspects of improving rule of law in post-conflict states. Other studies focus on the creation of a standing UN police capacity, improving border control and border security, increasing accountability for non-military personnel in peace operations, and fighting corruption in war-torn states.