Challenges Of Paternalism In Peacebuilding:the Role Of France In Post-conflict Central African Republic

The international community,in respect of peace and security matters of Africa,is slow on creating a deep understanding of African problems in post-conflict situation and yet are quick to provide supposed best solutions for them in establishing and maintaining peace and stability for those post-conflict states.Some of these solutions remain elusive to sustainable peace in the post-conflict situations.Thus one questions the continued existence of paternalistic support by international organisation in peace processes a potential hindrance.Hence the need to assess the challenges of paternalist support of international actors in African peace process and how it poses as a challenge.The introduction serves to lay out the topic of this thesis by providing background information of the situation of peacebuilding in Africa as one of the normative challenges faced by the international community.The scope of the study is the case of the post-conflict state that is the Central African Republic.The problematique of the thesis is to argue that paternalistic support that is provided by state actors in peacebuilding inter alia being a potential impediment to the sustainable peace because the sustainable peace in the state of the CAR has remained elusive for the better part of the 20 th and 21 st Century.Thus the aim and objective of this study was to answer the research questions: what are the elements of paternalism by states actor,France,in peacebuilding in post-conflict state of the CAR? Further,how the elements and conditions of paternalism are an impediment in the peacebuilding process to an effective establishment of long-lasting peace?An overall overview of some of the concepts that form part of the thesis,particularly peacebuilding,of how it has been conceptualised and its operations since the inception was assessed.The provision of an in-depth review of the literature pertaining to the concepts and practices of peacebuilding and paternalism alike has been made.The purpose was to reconcile on both of these concepts to attempt to assess and analyse some of the challenges experienced in Africa as well as issues concerning International Relations as a whole within the context of peacebuilding and paternalism.Recent literature on peacebuilding has reviewed various difficulties encountered in peacebuilding in the previous decades and has come up with various frameworks.Emerging major actors in regional and global peacebuilding has come up with a framework for ‘liberal peacebuilding'.It suggests that their overall goal is to avert the recurrence of violent conflict and to facilitate nation building through stimulating economic development and creating security.Though this may be the case,this strategy still alludes to a long lasting peace in many African states.A new perspective on effective peacebuilding has been dominant in recent literature in which the concept has been divided into generational approaches.The key focus of current generational approach has been liberal peacebuilding and conflict transformation that have shaped the current context of the concept and practise of peacebuilding.Though this may be the case,liberal peacebuilding as the overall panacea of African states is doubted which then calls for the necessity for new transitional approach in the discourse.Literature on paternalism that is focussed in humanitarian intervention and aid tends to argue along the organisational structure,the asymmetric power relationship that occurs between the interveners amongst one another and towards the recipients of assistance.The other common misperception is the arrogance when it comes to international interveners conduct because of the mentality that they possess the utmost expertise and knowledge which is necessary for human improvement and development in destitute situations where it is has been weakened or does not exist.The imposition of foreign ideas by interveners and neglect of taking into consideration the local knowledge and ideas that have been considered to be a hindrance to arriving to the best possible solutions for positive peace outcomes.The issues of paternalistic support forms the conceptual framework of this thesis.Looking at paternalism in the international sphere and its existence in humanitarianism I consider the following;Barnett defines paternalism as: "the attempt by one actor to substitute his judgment for another's on the grounds that it is in the latter's best interest or welfare”.Further I consider Shriffin's articulation that it is not the interference with another state's interest that is paternalistic but rather the interference with another state's range of autonomy and judgment.Contextualising paternalism with regards to respect for autonomy is about fulfilling autonomy right.Moreover,respect for autonomy should influence our behaviour even if the failure to do so will not violate some distinct,independent autonomy right of an agent even if the unconscionability doctrine is not essentially paternalistic and its endorsement should not be viewed as a straightforward matter.To respect others' autonomy exercise,citizens should bear some costs and refrain from some otherwise permissible interference,even if this behaviour is not strictly required by the set of autonomy rights,and even if citizens significantly disagree with how and toward what ends others exercise their autonomy.Chapter 3 constitutes a discussion of France-Africa relations and then zone in one the engagements pertaining to the peacebuilding initiatives.The peacebuilding initiatives implemented in the given case historically and their shortcomings that have been experienced are discussed.France has always had a vested interest in Africa,even after the end of colonial rule.More particularly with francophone countries like Mali,Gabon,C?te d'Ivoire and Central African Republic to name a few.There is a relationship that has been fostered over an extended period of time which provides a reasoning of the motivations and justification of this state actor in the post-conflict situation.The issues presented and examined touch on political,social and moralistic bounds that plague the international system.The context which was considered in the analysis and the events that were narrated when the transitional government in 2013 through to the democratic elections that took place.However there was reference to the events that took place prior the transition to support the argument.The findings of this study,amongst other things,are that the involvement of France emanates from the historical and deep relationship they have with its former colonies.Furthermore it was to examine the propagated elements of care and control intertwined as humanitarian.In addition,how these elements may be underhandedly and are impediment of the peace process under the guise of humanity and benevolence.Finally,the purpose to problematize the issue features of paternalism within peacebuilding as structural and systemic problem so we may follow up on with ways that are to be addressed.The narrative that has been expressed was what would have been the scale of the acts of violence in the CAR would have ensued if it had not been for France's intervention.It is this type of narrative that is a typical behaviour of the paternalism agents being convinced in their action as having saved the recipient from themselves.This is to reiterate some of the outlooks regarding the conclusions paternalistic agents come to in convincing themselves of the obligations they feel compelled to intervention in domestic affairs to the extent that skewed interpretations of the incompetence they have in realising their own well-being.The new administration led by President Faustin-Archange Touadéra,as the newly elected leader in 2016,has had to hit the ground running in forming unity and establishing state institutions that would catapult the country out of the conflict to nation building and development.The circumstance that surrounds how this transition will occur is still open to interpretation.It is necessary to explore potential impediments in order for them to be addressed head on.The issue is that the current events and mechanism that take place are laced with paternalistic behaviours and it is prevalent.Key institutions are yet to be established properly.The monopoly of violence has yet to be reinstated with the government in power.There have been delays to a properly established Disarmament Demobilisation Reintegration(DDR)programme.The social cohesion peacebuilding is not owned by the communities.Important institutions such as the army in a state are crucial and key institution that must be capacitated.The security situation in the CAR has not been effective for many years yet there has been the presence of one of the most advanced armies in the world have been treating Bangui as a rear base.This false sense of security has been in existence at the expense of the development of the state's own right.The recommendations of this study sought to inform of the need for a structural balance of peacebuilding initiatives for post-conflict states in the international community that would involve external international but also regional and local actors.Moreover in that structural balance there ought to be an equal partnership and forge equal engagements amongst institutions at international and regional level.This is to create better inclusivity as well as create a versatile and dynamic peace process that will forsee what is hoped to be effective peacebuilding and ultimately sustained positive peace.The interpretivist account of this study suggested further research in the hybrid models of peacebuilding process that would be in light of the possible??.All actors have insurmountable value to contribute,external actor i.e.international have the resources whilst regional have the knowledge and resonance with conflict in Africa as well commonality to resolving the root causes of conflict and how to best deal with them.