CSDP Operations in the Course of UN Peacekeeping: An Assessment of Their Impact on Mission Effectiveness

Abstract

Examining the impact of military CSDP operations on UN peacekeeping missions, this thesis looks at their mission effectiveness through the derived factors mandate, composition of forces, support, and conflict management. The case studies of Operation Artemis (2003), EUFOR Chad/CAR (2008-2009), and EUTM Mali (from 2013 onwards) show that the impact of CSDP operations on UN peacekeeping is of limited extent. The lack of political will of influential member states within the EU as well as the UN prevent a greater impact, highlighting the vast discrepancy between the EU's potential and the actual effect of CSDP engagements in course of UN peacekeeping. Furthermore, the cases also show that CSDP operations are mostly a product of initiatives by individual member states. Only where the initiating country is sufficiently able to instrumentalise social and institutional networks, and to secure the support of the remaining member states, was the implementation of a CSDP operation actually possible. Additionally, the case studies reveal that the nature of CSDP operations alongside UN peacekeeping transformed from peace- enforcement in 2003 to a rather peace-building nature in 2013 and onwards.