Publication

The paper examines the nature, focus and scope of humanitarian intervention approaches. It highlights the mismatch between salient features of violent armed conflict and the humanitarian military intervention approach. The dichotomy between the imperatives of complex emergencies and the ambivalent approach of the international community is drawn on to argue for a new doctrine of intervention, in order to protect civilians and support humanitarian assistance. The examination of these issues helps to determine the extent to which African regional institutions and capacities for peace-support interventions contribute to addressing the key imperatives of the nature and impact of modern conflicts.