Explaining the extent of the EU’s implementation of UN-mandated conflict management efforts: comparing the cases of Libya and Mali

Abstract

In conflict management, the United Nations possesses a central role, but it relies on states and regional organizations to fulfil its mandates. One of such regional organizations, which partakes in UN-mandated conflict management efforts, is the European Union. Although declaring support for the UN through the promotion of effective multilateralism, the extent of the EU’s implementation of UN-mandated efforts varies. Against this background, this study seeks to find out, what explains this variation. More specifically, it explores how two factors - coherence and leadership of member states – affect the extent of the EU’s implementation of UN-mandated conflict management efforts. In order to identify, which of the two factors better explains varying extent of the EU’s implementation of UN-mandated conflict management efforts, a comparative study is constructed to empirically research the EU’s involvement in implementing UN-mandated conflict management efforts in the Mali War from 2012 onwards and the Second Libyan Civil War between 2014 and 2020. Document analysis is used to determine the relevant UN mandates and the subsequent extent of the EU’s implementation of UN-mandated conflict management efforts, meanwhile a combination of qualitative content analysis of speeches and statements together with document analysis is used to determine the leadership and coherence of EU member states. Whereas in the case of Mali, the EU implemented UN-mandated conflict management efforts to a complete extent, the extent of the EU’s implementation of such efforts was partial in the case of Libya. Identifying the presence of coherence and leadership of member states in both cases, the study concludes that although the coherence of member states does explain a varying extent of the EU’s implementation of UN-mandated conflict management efforts, leadership of member states does not, at least not by itself. The results of this thesis shine light on why the EU’s extent of implementation of UN-mandated conflict management efforts can vary, in addition to indicating problematic areas for decision-makers in the EU who strive for the EU being a promotor of effective multilateralism on the global stage.