ABSTRACT

Capacity gaps’ influencing the outcome of peacekeeping operations has been an issue in all the conflicts. Although gaps influencing the outcome of peacekeeping operations involving inter-state conflicts and intra-state conflicts where resources are the common denominator have been examined, capacity gaps influencing peacekeeping in intra-state conflicts where jihadist terror ideology is a major factor in the conflict remains shadowed in an enigmatic environment. More importantly, complexities compounding the capabilities of prosecuting military peacekeeping missions and the capacity gaps ensuing thereon remain unexamined. This study was to examine the peace keeping operations influencing peace and stability in Dhobley District, Central Region, Somalia. The study sought to achieve three objectives; first, to examine the effectiveness of command and control AMISOM troops, second, to assess the relevance of missions mandate and thirdly to evaluate the adequacy of mission resources support. Cosmopolitan theory was used to explain the sources of capacity gaps and to develop the conceptual framework. The study used the case of peacekeeping in Somalia as the focal point of analysis. Data was collected from both primary and secondary sources then analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software version 24.0 and presented in tables with a brief description thereafter. This aided in establishing the recurrent themes within the under study. The derivative of this analytical process, i.e., the patterns, themes and categories of analysis that came from the data were then interpreted by the researcher based on objectives of the study. The findings revealed that commanders faced challenges of command and control of AMISOM troops and thus did not offer appropriate direction to the accomplishment of the mission. On missions’ mandate, the findings revealed that the missions’ mandate was not aligned to the realities of the conflict on the ground, and that it was not clear to AMISOM troops. Concerning mission resource support it was evident that the number of AMISOM troops was inadequate to accomplish the mission, the finances allocated for the Mission in Somalia was not enough and the equipment’s used for fighting were not sufficient. The study concluded that an effective central command and control structure is vital for mission success, achievement of the mission objectives is the most common way for people to measure if the mission was successful or not and also adequate mission resources, including staff, equipment and finances must be present and readily available for a mission to be a success. The study recommended that leadership of Peace Keeping missions should always offer appropriate direction to the accomplishment of a mission; Peacekeeping missions should have clear and achievable goals; and Peacekeeping missions, resources in terms of personnel, finances or equipment’s should always be made available in adequate amounts.