Tackling the Power-Sharing Dilemma: Role of Mediation

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How does mediation affect the long-term performance of power-sharing agreements? In a report for Swisspeace, ALEXANDRE W. RAFFOUL analyzes case studies from Burundi (2000), Nepal (2006), Northern Ireland (1998), Bosnia (1995), Lebanon (1989), and Rwanda (1993).
“In the reviewed cases, effective power-sharing resulted not from one, but from a series of agreements,” he writes. “Power-sharing can thus be conceived as a process of continuous inter-elite bargaining. Mediation can enhance the ability of elites to successfully negotiate solutions to the problems that tend to emerge after the adoption of power-sharing agreements.”
Two main conclusions can be drawn from the report. First, specific features of the mediation process have an impact on the ability of elites to cooperate in the post-agreement phase. More specifically, the case studies suggest that elite cooperation is facilitated by mediation processes where:
- The impetus for sharing power is internal, rather than external;
- All relevant actors are included, rather than only moderates;
- Effort is extended towards building trust between the parties, rather than solely achieving an agreement;
- Citizens are informed and consulted;
- Provisions for the continuation of assisted negotiations in the implementation phase are included in the agreement.
Second, the report found that the continuation of mediation after the adoption of power-sharing agreements can enhance the ability of parties to successfully negotiate solutions to the problems that emerge in the post-agreement phase. In particular, the case studies suggested that:
- If external leverage was critical to achieving an agreement, third parties can prevent the re-emergence of balance of power problems by maintaining pressure on the parties;
- Post-agreement mediation can help address spoiler problems by facilitating negotiations to broaden the power-sharing coalition;
- Post-agreement mediation can help address inside spoiler problems by improving the relationships between the signatories and their commitment to peace;
- Post-agreement mediation can help address identity and political accountability problems by building popular support for the agreement;
- Post-agreement mediation can help address credible commitment problems by facilitating negotiations over unresolved issues.