In various conflict contexts where the state is unable to maintain security and public order, non-state armed groups (NSAGs) and the United Nations (UN) conduct their activities alongside one another. While previous research has focused on hostile relations between the UN and NSAGs, less attention has been given to collaborative interactions. This paper aims to address this research gap by formulating a novel conceptual typology of NSAG–UN interactions in the context of a peace operation. The typological framework comprises two-dimensions: firstly, the thematic field of interaction including human rights, humanitarian needs and governance, security, and political processes and, secondly, the nature of interaction ranging from confrontation to cooperation. Based on the typology, interaction activities between the UN and NSAGs in two peacekeeping operations—the UN Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) and the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA)—are systematically documented and described. While both cases show confrontation in the security field, UNOCI also commonly cooperated with NSAGs on security-related issues; MINUSMA instead cooperated with NSAGs primarily regarding the political process. The analysis further proposes factors that may explain such variation, including institutional arrangements and NSAG characteristics. The conceptual framework presented in this paper is crucial in advancing knowledge about an empirical phenomenon that we know little about and that has important implications for different forms of “local” engagement in peace operations and the effectiveness of UN policies and practices.

中文翻译：

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从对抗到合作：描述非国家武装团体与联合国在和平行动中的互动

在国家无法维持安全和公共秩序的各种冲突环境中，非国家武装团体 (NSAG) 和联合国 (UN) 并肩开展活动。虽然之前的研究主要集中在联合国与国家安全集团之间的敌对关系，但很少关注合作互动。本文旨在通过制定和平行动背景下 NSAG 与联合国互动的新概念类型来弥补这一研究空白。类型框架包括两个维度：首先，互动的主题领域，包括人权、人道主义需求和治理、安全和政治进程；其次，互动的性质，从对抗到合作。根据类型学，系统记录和描述了联合国和 NSAG 在两个维和行动（联合国科特迪瓦行动（联科行动）和联合国马里多层面综合稳定团（马里稳定团））中的互动活动。虽然这两起案件都显示了安全领域的对抗，但联科行动还通常与国家安全集团就安全相关问题进行合作；相反，马里稳定团主要在政治进程方面与 NSAG 进行合作。分析进一步提出了可能解释这种差异的因素，包括制度安排和 NSAG 特征。本文提出的概念框架对于增进对我们知之甚少的经验现象的认识至关重要，而这种现象对于不同形式的“当地”参与和平行动以及联合国政策和实践的有效性具有重要影响。