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The definition of a standard of sustainable security may
be one of the most useful features of this framework
for policymakers, military commanders and humanitarian
organizations involved in peace operations. It helps
them to define more precisely the mission, the success
criteria and the desired end state, for a transition to
hand over authority and control of a peace operation to
intermediary agencies, such as the UN, or local leaders.
Assessing sustainable security means evaluating the professionalism,
capacity and autonomy of each of the four key state institutions.
Assessments may be done before a conflict, in which case
preventive diplomacy has a better chance of success. They
may be done during a conflict, in which case intervening
organizations may be able to work with local authorities,
define the limits of external operations and prepare
for exit strategies. And they may be done after
a conflict is contained, in which case intervening organizations
can plan a transition strategy that links a political
framework with a plan to rebuild the core institutions of the state.
The central objective in divided societies usually is to
find an acceptable political framework that will mitigate
conflict among internal warring factions. That framework
may restore an elected regime (Haiti), create a negotiated
power sharing agreement (Angola), construct a new
constitution (Namibia) or be a combination of these
(Ireland). Ideally, the political framework should be
acceptable to all parties, create incentives for the
warring factions to mediate their differences and
incorporate democratic principles and legitimate structures,
including elections.
However, sustainable security may not be achieved
by relying on the political framework alone. If
state structures have collapsed or have been
politically compromised by coming under the control of
competing factions, then it will be necessary to combine
the political framework with a strategy to rebuild the
core state institutions.
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