Engaging with armed groups - Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue

Mediation Practice Seriessurrogate Batasuna, and encouraged its inclusion on the EU’sterrorist list). Other forms of proxy engagement include insidermediators – individuals with the capacity to mediate amongdifferent factions within the conflict parties – or “track two”actors, who may meet quietly with delegates or associatesof an armed group in advance of, and in parallel to, a moreformal process. In some circumstances (Burundi, for example)extended contacts by NGOs contributed to the decision ofan armed group to engage in a formal peace process.• Capacity-building : Negotiations are necessarily high-risk,and their chances of success are improved by a level of selfconfidenceon the part of the parties. This is particularly trueof armed groups, for whom capacity-building and trainingcan be critical. They need to be comfortable with the processof negotiation, but also have knowledgeof the issues to be negotiated(such as cease-fires), and their implications.Addressing root causes willalmost always have constitutionaldimensions. A mediator or facilitatorcan provide texts and materials forthe parties’ consideration, or bring inexperts on human rights, autonomyor other issues. However, sustainedcapacity-building (through meetings,workshops, facilitated dialogues andother methods) is frequently bestperformed by other actors and, attimes, in locations other than that ofthe conflict theatre. In Sri Lanka, forexample, Berghof Peace Support andSwitzerland, working at the request of the Norwegian facilitator,were both involved in efforts to strengthen the capacity of themajor conflict stakeholders. In the Basque Country, the SouthAfrican lawyer Brian Currin has worked with Batasuna toencourage its transition to the pursuit of its goals throughpurely political and democratic means.Negotiations arenecessarily high-risk, andtheir chances of successare improved by a levelof selfconfidence on thepart of the parties.This is particularly true ofarmed groups, for whomcapacity-building andtraining can be critical.32