Distinguish between peacekeeping, peacemaking and peace building.

Peacekeeping, peacemaking, and peacebuilding are distinct but interconnected processes aimed at managing, resolving, and preventing conflicts, promoting stability, and fostering sustainable peace in societies affected by violence, instability, or fragility.

1. Peacekeeping: Peacekeeping involves the deployment of impartial third-party forces, typically under the auspices of the United Nations or regional organizations, to monitor, observe, and maintain peace agreements between conflicting parties. Peacekeepers are tasked with monitoring ceasefires, separating warring factions, protecting civilians, and facilitating the delivery of humanitarian assistance. Peacekeeping operations are characterized by their consent-based nature, non-coercive approach, and focus on maintaining stability and preventing the resumption of hostilities. Examples include UN peacekeeping missions in Cyprus, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and South Sudan.

2. Peacemaking: Peacemaking refers to diplomatic efforts to negotiate and mediate the resolution of conflicts, facilitate peace agreements, and address the root causes of violence. Peacemakers, often diplomats, mediators, or envoys, engage with conflicting parties to facilitate dialogue, negotiate ceasefire agreements, and broker peace settlements. Peacemaking processes may involve shuttle diplomacy, confidence-building measures, and consensus-building efforts to bridge differences and build trust between parties. Successful peacemaking efforts can lead to the cessation of hostilities, the signing of peace agreements, and the initiation of post-conflict reconstruction and reconciliation. Examples include diplomatic mediation efforts in the Middle East peace process and the negotiations leading to the Dayton Accords in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

3. Peacebuilding: Peacebuilding encompasses a range of activities aimed at addressing the root causes of conflict, promoting reconciliation, and building the foundations for sustainable peace and development in conflict-affected societies. Peacebuilding efforts focus on strengthening institutions, promoting good governance, fostering social cohesion, and addressing grievances through inclusive processes of dialogue, participation, and capacity-building. Peacebuilders work with local communities, civil society organizations, and government institutions to promote conflict resolution, address structural inequalities, and promote economic recovery and development. Peacebuilding initiatives may include disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) programs, transitional justice mechanisms, and efforts to promote reconciliation and social cohesion. Examples include post-conflict reconstruction efforts in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Rwanda.

In summary, while peacekeeping, peacemaking, and peacebuilding are distinct processes with different objectives and approaches, they are interconnected and complementary components of comprehensive strategies for conflict management, resolution, and prevention. Effective peace processes often require a combination of these approaches, tailored to the specific context and dynamics of each conflict, to achieve lasting peace and stability in conflict-affected societies.