Insider-Partial Mediation

Insider-partial mediation is mediation that is done by a person who is already involved in the conflict (thus, someone who is an "insider"), and, at least to some extent, is aligned with one side or the other (hence, someone who is "partial").

This type of person differs from the traditional mediator in the dominant North American mode of mediation, which calls for a neutral, impartial mediator. However, many societies in the two-thirds world feel more comfortable with insiders as mediators, as they know the situation better, are more easily trusted, and will stick around to make sure any settlement is implemented, unlike outsider neutrals, who usually leave to go home or go on to their next case. Thus outsiders may not be as invested in the success of the mediation as an insider might be, nor are they present to help resolve any difficulties that develop in the implementation as often as insiders are.

The key to the success of insider-partial mediation is the stature of the person mediating. They must be someone who is known and respected by all parties to the conflict, and someone who is trusted to be fair, even though they are associated with one side or another. Oscar Arias, former President of Costa Rica, is one well-known example of an insider-partial mediator who helped create the Esquipulas agreement to end the Central American wars in the 1980s.