Mediation and the Dynamics of Civilian Victimisation in Intrastate Conflicts in Africa. Issue 1 (2nd January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Aduda, Levke; Bussmann, Margit
• Is Part Of: Civil wars. Volume 22:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: 64
• Page End: 86
• Publication Date: 2020-01-02
• Subjects: Civil war -- Periodicals; War -- Periodicals; Ethnic relations -- Periodicals; 355.021805
• DOI: 10.1080/13698249.2020.1703078
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1369-8249

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Reports about mass atrocities are often accompanied by demands for action against the perpetrators. Mediation allows third parties to demonstrate their active involvement against civilian victimisation. However, whether mediators are successful in contributing to lower levels of one-sided violence is far from clear. Conflict actors might continue or even intensify violence to enhance their bargaining position during peace talks. Based on our tests with monthly data for intrastate conflicts in Africa we find no support for the expectation that one-sided violence declines in the aftermath of mediation onset. Instead, we observe rather an increase in civilian victimisation.