How to make civil society inclusion in inter-state peace mediation meaningful: Lessons from the Minsk Negotiation Process 2014-2021

This brief explores lessons from the inclusion of civil society at the negotiation table in the Minsk negotiation process in 2014-2021. By examining how the process was received by Ukrainian civil society and attempts to restart it after 2019, the brief shows that from its inception, the Minsk process was characterized by many dysfunctionalities, in particular regarding the question of who the conflict parties were. These dysfunctionalities in turn led to direct civil society inclusion at the negotiation table becoming an extension of the battlefield. Thus, the brief shows how direct civil society inclusion can be counterproductive in inter-state mediation efforts.

This brief is part of a research brief series generated by a joint initiative by the Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA) and the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD). The aim of the series is to contribute to policy development by bringing cutting-edge research on key issues within mediation to the attention of policy makers and practitioners. The topics to be explored in the series were selected during joint discussions within the FBA initiative “Improving Mediation Effectiveness” throughout 2021-2023. The Initiative brought together policymakers, practitioners, and researchers within the mediation field to discuss challenges and opportunities for greater effectiveness in mediation. The editorial committee has consisted of Dr. Niklas Hultin, Agnes Cronholm, Dr. Johanna Malm and Maja Jakobsson from FBA, and Andrea Prah from ACCORD. We would like to thank the members of the Mediation Support Network for comments. The views and opinions expressed in the brief series are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the collaborating partners.

Other publications in the series:

What is peace mediation? Understanding the sources of conceptual confusion in the practice and study of mediation.

Civil society protests and inclusive peace talks

Coherence, coordination and complementarity? Multi-track mediation and quality peace agreements

DOI: https://doi.org/10.61880/DAJQ2447