ncreasing challenges such as cross-border problems, rebel group movements
             within States, arms trafficking, mercenaries, refugees, and human rights
             issues. In fact, the extent of the problems in Africa is evident in the
             number of UN Peacekeeping missions currently operating there.
             MINURSO in Western Sahara was established in April 1991 to oversee
             all matters relating to a referendum in which the people of Western Sahara
             would choose between independence and integration with Morocco. Though the
             original aim, according to the settlement plan between Morocco and the
             Frente Polisario, was to hold the referendum in January 1992, the continued
             differences on key plan elements such as voter eligibility criteria,
             repatriation of refugees, and the appeals process has led to a situation
             where the referendum has yet to take place (Minurso, 2004).
             UNAMSIL, established in October 1999, to assist the Sierra Leone
             government in implementing the Lome Peace Agreement, including
             implementation of disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration faced a
             situation of ongoing atrocities, human right abuses committed against
             civilians, and outbreaks of hostilities from RUF rebels (UNAMSIL, 2004)
             till a deal was signed in Freetown in May 2001 between the government and
             the rebels agreeing to an immediate cessation of hostilities and the
             deployment of UNAMSIL peacekeepers into RUF territory as a prelude to a
             ...