The transformations of the principles of peacekeeping operations

Over the past thirty years or so peacekeeping has undergone a series of highly significant transformations no doubt prompted by constantly changing realities. In many respects the African continent appears to be a laboratory for the dynamic adaptation of peacekeeping operations to contemporary constraints and consequently for the metamorphosis of the cardinal principles of United Nations peacekeeping. In view of the difficult task of determining their current nature the present study adopts a cautious approach and classifies them as in-between operations. The needs of the fight against terrorism have in fact placed them in an almost translucent category on a particularly tenuous legal frontier difficult to perceive yet clearly visible in the background. Hence the thesis of the continuum of strengthening - metamorphosis of the cardinal principles of peacekeeping developed in the present reflection. It will be of interest to peacekeeping researchers experts and practitioners as well as to students of international law and international relations.