Non-Governmental Organizations in Mediation: The Case of Aceh

Abstract

In 2000, the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HDC) mediated the conflict in Aceh, Indonesia. While it was unsuccessful in its attempt to achieve a final solution, it managed to reach two ceasefires. The mediation effort by the HDC was then followed by an attempt by Crisis Management Initiative (CMI), which was successful in its efforts and brought an end to the conflict in 2005. These mediation attempts marked a rare occasion where non-governmental organizations had not only conducted mediation between armed groups, but also helped in the attainment of a negotiated solution.

This thesis examines the actions taken by each organization to determine how they were able to end fighting, even if it was only temporary in the case of the HDC. It argues that while NGO mediation has its benefits in allowing them to mediate internal conflicts, their unofficial status leaves them without sufficient leverage to induce the parties to end fighting. Therefore, NGOs must rely on outside actors by engaging in multiparty mediation in order to help achieve peace.