THE ROLE OF UNITED NATION IN CONFLICT RESOLUTION A CASE STUDY OF SIERRA LEONE 1991-2002

This study examines the role of the United Nations in conflict resolution using Sierra Leone as a case study. The United Nations is an international organization whose purpose is to promote peace, security, cooperation, and bring together nations from around the world. The United Nations has mediated and resolved conflicts happening around the world. The Sierra Leone Civil War was one of the bloodiest in Africa, marked by violations of human rights, exploitation of child soldiers, and extensive violence that had social, political, and economic consequences on the Sierra Leoneans. The study problem revolves around the fact that, despite the United Nations' intervention in the war through the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone, the conflict still persisted, leading to human suffering, widespread displacement, and economic damage. The study objectives were to analyze the root causes and consequences of the conflict in Sierra Leone, to establish the contributions of the United Nations to conflict resolution in Sierra Leone, and to assess the effectiveness of the conflict resolution strategies and mechanisms employed by the United Nations in Sierra Leone. The study adopted the theory of conflict. However, the methodology adopted in this work was a qualitative research design, which is descriptive in nature. The method of data collection was mainly based on secondary data, while the method of data analysis was content analysis.The work focuses on the period from 1991 to 2002. The study findings revealed that the Sierra Leone Civil War was a result of political corruption and governance issues. The prolonged misrule and corruption of the government under President Joseph Momoh, who came into power in 1985, contributed significantly to public unrest. Conclusively, the study examined the root causes of the Sierra Leone conflict—particularly political corruption, economic mismanagement, and social inequalities—and underscored the necessity for a multifaceted approach to peacekeeping and post-conflict reconstruction. The study recommends that the United Nations should adopt a more comprehensive strategy that addresses the underlying root causes of conflict and creates a framework for sustainable peace.