This rapid report is based on quantitative discourse analysis of stability and stabilisation approaches in all current UN, EU and NATO missions. The analysis included a total of 49 missions (covering peacekeeping, civilian and political missions) and 107 mandates/resolutions linked to these missions.
Key findings:
- Out of a total of 49 missions examined for this report, 30 missions use the words stability or stabilisation, (61% of those examined), 29 missions use the word stability, and 16 missions use the word stabilisation.
- While one resolution relating to a mission may use the words stability or stabilisation, this does not mean that all of the related resolutions use these words, as the mission may change over time.
- Out of a total of 107 mandates/resolutions examined for this report, 87 mandates/resolutions use the words stability or stabilisation (81% of those examined). 58 mandates/resolutions use the word stability; 36 mandates/resolutions use the word stabilisation.
- In terms of location, most missions with a stability or stabilisation mandate are found in Africa, some are in the Middle East and Europe, and one is in Latin American and the Caribbean.
- In terms of frequency, this report covers the key mandates/resolutions related to the UN, EU and NATO missions currently in operation – the majority of which date from 2000 onwards. This skews the data to over represent more recent mandates/resolutions, so a comprehensive historic overview of the frequency of use of the terms stability or stabilisation is not possible. However, analysis indicates a strong trend – from 2000 onwards – of a gross and relative increase in mandates/resolutions including the key word stability.
- Through quantitative discourse analysis of these phrases, 26 categories have been identified to represent the different approaches to stability and stabilisation. These have been arranged into seven groups: stability from conflict; political and legal stability; military and criminal stability; physical stability; stability for citizens; economic stability; and regional stability. These categories are not mutually exclusive and one mandate/resolution may include multiple phrases with multiple references to different types of stability. Table 2 combines the 26 categories into groups – this indicates that that stability and stabilisation are most commonly cited in the context of political and legal stability, and in relation to security and peace.
- The top six most commonly cited approaches to stability and stabilisation in the mandates/resolutions are: security; peace; regional stability; economic stability; law and justice; and organised crime.
