Third party mediation: A case study of Kenya's post election violence, 2008
Abstract
Different conflict management processes manifest themselves in their different outcomes with implications for the future sustainability of relationships between the conflicting parties. Every cycle of conflict produces emotional and physical reality while leaving more victims and hard feelings behind. Professor Mwagiru posits that those who experienced the conflict or took part in it carry the memory of it. As long as the parties in the conflict still live conflict will never quite die or fade away. The main aim of this study was to probe the third party mediation with special reference to Kenya's case of post-election violence in 2008.
This research used primary method of data collection where the researcher distributed 30 questionnaires to Kenyans of different profession, education and status to fmd out how the conflict impacted them and what they think about Kofi Annan mediation strategies and lessons they learnt as individuals. From the study the researcher concludes that, third party mediation is based on strategies that are steered by an action-forcing mechanism. The mediators assist parties in identifying and facilitating parties' negotiations and interests.
The study also indicated that, gains made by the external third parties during and after the mediation process highly assist the negotiators in exploring and reaching an agreement, help the parties explore the range of possible, probable and acceptable outcomes and assist the parties in weighing their options by using threats and rewards. Therefore 3rd party mediation is a solution that was forced on the two principles using threats and rewards. Following the outcome of the research if the solution was from the principles may be it would have worked better than it has.
Publisher
University of Nairobi, Kenya