Engaging with armed groups - Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue

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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
Engaging with armed groups• Humanitarian engagement : There are differences andtensions, but also similarities and synergies, between politicaland humanitarian mediation. Humanitarian mediation canopen doors to armed groups not yet prepared to contemplatea political process. It can also create common ground on thebasis of universal humanitarian norms (since 2008, for example,the HD Centre and the UN’s Office for the Coordination ofHumanitarian Affairs have held a series of workshops forDarfur’s opposition movements to address issues such assafe humanitarian access, the protection of civilians and therights of internally displaced persons). In a best case scenario,agreements reached can directly contribute to the alleviationof suffering whilst also building confidence in negotiation as ameans to resolve differences. However, humanitarian mediationcarries with it inherent risks. These include that humanitarianprinciples will be subordinated to political ends, or that anarmed group will embark on a humanitarian process buteither stall on commitments it undertakes within it and/or delayembarking on political engagement.• Political mediation and negotiations : Mediators aspireto the facilitation and support of negotiations aimed at thepolitical settlement of armed conflict. Such negotiations will bemost effective when a mediator is entrusted with a clear lead ofthe mediation process, while the parties, of course, determinethe negotiation’s substantive outcome. But clearly a mediator’srole may vary greatly, according to the trust and confidence heor she has been able to develop with representatives of theconflict parties in the pre-negotiation phase ; the support soughtby conflict party principals ; and his or her own perception ofthe best needs of the process. In all cases the parity in statusof the conflict parties will be delicate. It will generally be best tohold talks outside the state in conflict, even though the logisticsinvolved in facilitating the travel and security of representativesof the rebel group are likely to be demanding.33
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Engaging with armed groups - Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue

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