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Joining forces to make peace: The effect of local mediation on local peace agreements during United Nations peacekeeping missions

Aartsen, Bastiaan (2021) Joining forces to make peace: The effect of local mediation on local peace agreements during United Nations peacekeeping missions.

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Abstract:Underutilizing local conflict resolution during peacekeeping missions can prolong regional and even national conflicts. Yet, while many scholars recognize the importance of local mediation, most studies focus on state-level conflict resolution. Thus, this study investigates what parties are involved in successful local mediation efforts and what aspects make them effective mediators. The theoretical argument tested in this study is that a combined effort between UN and local mediators is more effective than both parties mediating independently. In order to test this argument, a mixed-methods approach is applied to unique non-public data from the United Nations on their activities during peacekeeping missions in the DRC, the CAR and Mali. The findings indicate that a combined effort of the UN and local mediators is more likely to result in local peace agreements than both actors mediating separately. As for the underlying characteristics that influence this phenomenon, substantial evidence has been found to underline the importance of the legitimacy of local mediators and available resources of the UN. Limited data is present on the significance of the knowledge on local conflict dynamics of local mediators while no evidence could be found on the role of impartiality of the UN.
Item Type:Essay (Master)
Clients:
The Center for Security Studies, Zurich, Switzerland
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:89 political science
Programme:European Studies MSc (69303)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/87984
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