Mediation Preferable Way to End Conflicts: Uganda

2011-09-26 23:42:27 　  Xinhua

 

Using mediation tactics to end conflicts can help protect life and property from harm, Ugandan Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi said here Monday.

 

Ssekandi made the remarks when addressing the 66th session of the UN General Assembly, convened during its annual high-level general debate.

 

"Mediation is a worthwhile investment," Ssekandi said. "It costs much less compared to other undertakings such as peacekeeping or peace enforcement. In terms of benefits, effective mediation can avert unnecessary wars with their attendant consequences such as loss of life and property; and contribute to the building of capacity for home-grown solutions to address conflicts."

 

He emphasized the idea that mediation can help avert crises before they turn violent and destructive.

"Mediation is a necessary and essential tool for peaceful resolution of conflicts as it aims at supporting disputing parties in the process of negotiating a mutual understanding or agreement, " said the vice president.

Ugandahas experience in facilitating mediation solutions to conflicts on the African continent, and has determined that the success of such efforts requires a number of steps.

 

However, he noted that the peace initiatives should be led by the region with strong support form regional organizations, the United Nations, and other relevant actors. What's more, it is sometimes important to prioritize peace before justice to strengthen confidence between parties.

 

There should also be peace and reconciliation mechanisms as well as transitional and inclusive governmental administrations put into place to help mitigate residual tensions between parties, Ssekandi said, adding "Post-conflict recovery and reconstruction programs or projects should be instituted simultaneously to demonstrate benefits of peace dividends."

 

For mediation and conflict resolving projects, Ssekandi emphasized the importance of "home grown solutions."

"External influences or interventions do not necessarily offer sustainable solutions to resolve conflicts," he said. "On the contrary, the latter at times tend to contribute to a cycle of destabilizing tendencies."

 

Ssekandi advocated the strengthening of the role of regional and sub-regional organizations in mediation, particularly in his home continent of Africa.

 

"Uganda would like to make a strong case to this assembly that Africa should be given the chance to resolve her conflicts," said Ssekandi. "Africa has strong political will to handle them and any interventions should be aimed at supporting Africa's initiatives to find peaceful solutions. It is, therefore imperative that our partners recognize the existing dispute resolution mechanisms of the regional bodies in Africa. I also call upon the UN to fully support Africa in this regard."