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As part of the call he made for a surge in diplomacy for peace when assuming office, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted the changing nature of conflict and the need for mediation practice to adapt. The complexity of contemporary conflict requires UN peacemakers to recognise and evaluate the links between local, subnational and national conflicts and political processes. This is particularly true in highly fragmented conflict settings, where an abundance of agendas, actors and initiatives often shape dynamics of conflict and prospects for peace.

Understanding conflict at the local and subnational levels is of critical importance for the development of effective mediation and peacemaking practice. As the UN system-wide service provider of mediation support, MSU seeks to enhance the UN’s abilities to enable the resolution of local and subnational conflicts in a way that promotes implementation of the UN’s overall political mandate and strategy in a given conflict theatre.

 

 
PREPAREDNESS

Preparedness entails the development of strategies for different phases of the conflict, based on a comprehensive conflict analysis and stakeholder mapping, including examination of previous mediation efforts.

CONSENT

Mediation is a voluntary process that requires the consent of the conflict parties to be effective. Without consent it is unlikely that parties will negotiate in good faith or be committed to the mediation process.