Keeping the Peace
in Guinea-Bissau

Abstract

This activity, “Keeping the Peace in Guinea-Bissau,” simulates the process by which peacekeeping missions are designed and implemented by the United Nations. You will assume the role of the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations and be tasked with designing and implementing a mission to restore peace in Guinea-Bissau after months of post-election political violence. In this capacity, you will

  1. Design a peacekeeping mission
  2. Lobby the United Nations Security Council to adopt a resolution authorizing a peacekeeping mission to Guinea-Bissau within a UN General Assembly-approved budget
  3. Implement the peacekeeping mission under intense political scrutiny
Learning Goals

After reading your text and completing this exercise, you will be able to:

  • Describe the roles of and relationships among the UN Security Council, UN General Assembly, and Department of Peacekeeping Operations in international peacekeeping efforts
  • Explain why international security is difficult to achieve in an anarchical environment
  • Identify obstacles to successful peacekeeping operations