Shivani PS, OP Jindal Global University
ABSTRACT
Armed conflicts, often rooted in religious, territorial, and political disputes, lead to significant human suffering and destabilization. Mediation in armed conflicts involves intricate power dynamics and the crucial role of mediator neutrality in achieving sustainable peace. These conflicts involve a range of actors, including states and non-state entities such as ethnic groups and paramilitary organizations, with cultural and religious disparities intensifying the issues. Mediation, a historically significant and non-violent method of conflict resolution, has gained prominence, especially post-Cold War, due to its flexibility and adaptability. The success of mediation is heavily influenced by the power dynamics between conflicting parties and the mediator's perceived neutrality. Mediators, whether individuals, states, or international organizations, must balance offering inducements and maintaining neutrality to ensure fair negotiations. High-intensity conflicts and those not primarily ethnic are more likely to benefit from mediation,particularly when the conflicted nation relies economically on the mediator. Notable successes, such as the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel, illustrate the potential of neutral mediation to achieve long-term peace. Conversely, failures like the 1948 UN Commission’s effort in the India-Pakistan conflict underscore the difficulties posed by power imbalances and mediator biases. International pressure and civilian casualties often drive conflicting parties toward mediation, serving both strategic and humanitarian purposes. This paper analyses the role of mediation in armed conflicts, specially focusing on the power dynamics involved and the impact of it on the outcome of mediation and fostering sustainable resolutions.
Keywords: Armed Conflict, International peace, Mediation, Power and Settlement.
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