Peacemaking: Touch-and-Go? A Critical Analysis of Norway's Facilitation in the Sri Lankan Peace Process (2002-2006)

Abstract

Civil war peacemaking is a crucial task. The thesis critically examines some of the important features of Norway’s facilitation in Sri Lanka’s Peace Process after signing of the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) in 2002. Norway’s facilitation for almost six years has showcased challenges and drawbacks for effective peace outcomes. This thesis discusses Norway’s role starting in 2002 until the end of the Geneva talks in 2006 related to various peace engagements. The basic argument in the thesis is to realize how a third party mediation through facilitation can become effective to reinforce a negotiated settlement. The main argument is based on three presumptions in the "Contingency Model" conceptualizing role of international mediation. These three presumptions are detailed in terms of how third-party facilitation likely to be successful upon the facilitator’s ability to remove disputant's power imbalances, the strategic choice for tension reduction and acting on a neutral basis.