The Inside Story: the impact of insider mediators on modern peacemaking
Peacemaking and mediation literature has often portrayed neutral ‘outsiders’ as the most suitable mediators, given their physical and emotional distance from the parties in conflict. However, in many parts of the world, communities in conflict prefer to deal with ‘insiders’ whom they already trust, who are part of the local society’s fabric, and who can make a long term commitment to resolving the conflict.
Regrettably, insider mediators often go unrecognised as international attention is drawn to the more visible, ‘glamorous’ aspects of high-powered diplomacy. This publication aims to redress this deficiency by showcasing the significant contribution of insider mediators to preventing and resolving conflicts.
Author Paul Dziatkowiec profiles several of HD’s insider mediators from Indonesia, Kenya, Mali, Myanmar, Nigeria, Thailand and Tunisia to illustrate how pivotal they are to peacemaking in their countries. From Nilar Oo’s support for the peace process between the Government of Myanmar and the country’s ethnic armed groups, to Alice Nderitu’s efforts to help stop inter-communal violence in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, and Omeyya Seddik’s contribution to facilitating a peaceful democratic transition in Tunisia, The Inside Story offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of insider mediators. It explores their motivations and methods, and unpacks the challenges they face in their daily work. These include grappling with delicate questions such as how to win the trust of conflict parties or how to maintain impartiality in the most challenging of environments.
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