The rise in the number of intra-state conflicts, following the end of the Cold War, and the reluctance of traditional extra regional actors to intervene, have thrust upon the region the onus of resolving its own conflicts. This determination to assume the security responsibility as a prerequisite for sustainable development resulted in a series of interventions by a regional force under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) umbrella. As a result, ECOWAS is the most experienced organization in Africa, and even beyond, in terms of conflict management. This experience has resulted in the realization that the region needs to increase the current ECOWAS PKO capabilities to make the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF) a more effective security force. This new mechanism structure under the construct of one of Africa's Regional Economic Communities (REC) is generating hope in terms of local capabilities able to sustain a peace management model designed by Africans themselves. Political will, as well as full dedication by ECOWAS member states, remain minimum requirements to ensure that a greater PKO capability is realized.

ADA 524316 Approved for public release; Distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)