Jenniina Kotajoki Succesfully Defends Thesis
On 25 April 2025 Dr Jenniina Kotajoki successfully defended her dissertation ‘Global Pariahs or Local Partners? The United Nations’ Engagement with Non-State Armed Groups.’ Jenniina’s dissertation examines how, why, and under what conditions the United Nations (UN) engages with non-state armed groups. (Detailed summary below)
DPCR extends its gratitude to Professor Ismene Gizelis from the University of Essex for serving as Jenniina’s opponent and to Sebastian van Baalen, Magnus Lundgren ja Anna Jarstad, who served on the grading committee. Last but not least we thank supervisors Lisa Hultman and Chiara Ruffa.
THESIS SUMMARY
Through four interrelated essays, Jenniina analyses both global-level dynamics within the UN Security Council and local-level interactions in peace operations. The study highlights that understanding and working with non-state armed groups (NSAGs)—especially at the local level—is crucial for protecting civilians, building peace, and addressing conflicts effectively. It also suggests that the UN and other actors should develop better tools for long-term, strategic engagement, even as global politics become more complex.
➡️ The first essay looks at how the UN interacts with NSAGs during peacekeeping missions. It creates a new way to categorize these interactions based on:
- What they're about – like human rights, humanitarian aid, security, or politics.
- How they happen – ranging from conflict (confrontation) to working together (cooperation).
➡️ The second essay, which is co-authored with Caroline M. Brandt, shifts the focus to high-level diplomatic engagement through the Security Council’s practice of naming and shaming NSAGs. The study finds that NSAGs are named almost as frequently as states. The findings suggest that naming and shaming may serve as both a strategic signal of commitment to shared values and a tool for powerful states to advance their strategic interests through international organizations.
➡️ The third essay explores local-level engagement between the UN and NSAGs, arguing that the UN’s willingness to build relationships with civilians shapes these interactions. Focusing on Southern Lebanon, it demonstrates that non-coercive engagement is more likely when NSAGs govern, have local support, or when the UN fears backlash from populations closely tied to these groups.
➡️ The final essay investigates peacekeepers' perceptions of “local actors”, drawing on surveys and interviews with Swedish personnel in Mali. Findings suggest that NSAGs significantly influence peacekeepers' understanding of local actors and highlight the importance of including them, along with other local actors, in peacekeeping efforts.
🔗 A 30-page summary of the thesis is available here.