Partnering to make peace: The effectiveness of joint African and non-African mediation efforts

Duursma, Allard (2017) Partnering to make peace: The effectiveness of joint African and non-African mediation efforts. International Peacekeeping, 24 (4). pp. 590-615. ISSN 1353-3312

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Abstract

This article systematically examines the varying effectiveness of African and non-African third parties in mediating civil wars in Africa. Drawing on data from the Uppsala Conflict Data Program, supplemented with unique data on mediation efforts, which together cover all mediation efforts in civil wars in Africa between 1960 and 2012, this article presents quantitative evidence supporting the effectiveness of African third parties. Compared to non-African third parties, African third parties are far more likely to conclude peace agreements and these peace agreements are more likely to be durable. Most effective, however, are mixed mediation efforts in which there is coordination between African and non-African third parties, but in which African third parties take the lead. The phrase, ‘African solutions to African challenges’ should thus be understood as a division of labour and responsibilities, rather than an excuse for non-African third parties to ignore Africa’s problems or African third parties acting on their own. Indeed, whilst African third parties should take the lead in mediation processes in African civil wars, non-African third parties should support these processes by lending additional strength. Through supplementing each other’s comparative advantages, African and non-African third parties can more effectively resolve civil wars in Africa.

Item Type:	Article
Official URL:	http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/finp20/current
Additional Information:	© 2017 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group
Divisions:	International Development
Subjects:	D History General and Old World > DT Africa H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform
Date Deposited:	10 Aug 2017 08:24
Last Modified:	08 Nov 2024 00:11
Projects:	F000001-FR1176
Funders:	World Peace Foundation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Denmark.
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/83730

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