Constitutional Governance and Rule of Law
Supporting Mediation Processes
These challenges typically arise in two major contexts:
1) Intra-state conflicts. Resolution of internal conflicts often requires renegotiating access to public power and resources, and/or granting recognition and autonomy to ethnic groups. In many cases, parties to the conflict demand constitutional change as part of a peace deal.
2) Unconstitutional Changes of Government (UCGs). In situations such as a military coup d'état or popular uprising, constitutions are often suspended, and transitional authorities announce a new constitution making process.
International IDEA's Role in Supporting Political Mediation
International IDEA works closely with key international mediation actors, including the United Nations, ECOWAS and IGAD, providing both direct support to mediation efforts, and convening expert and practitioner meetings to discuss areas of common interest between the mediation and constitution building community.
Examples of direct support include:
- Secondment of constitutional experts to political mediation missions – For example, International IDEA experts have been seconded to the UN Missions in Libya and Yemen, the UN Mediation Support Unit and the UN Standby Team of Mediation Experts.
- Partnering with eminent persons – Such as collaboration with former President Goodluck Jonathan in the Gambia constitution making process.
- Confidential advisory support – Helping special envoys understand the constitutional dimension of the transition, and prepare options.
Expert Convenings and Knowledge Exchange:
International IDEA convenes the following annual meetings:
- The Annual Edinburgh Dialogues on Post-Conflict Constitution Building – Bringing together experts and practitioners from the fields of constitution-building, conflict mediation and peacebuilding, to discuss emerging lessons and strategies.
- An Annual Retreat for Special Envoys – Focused on the Sahel, Horn of Africa and Central Africa, these retreats provide a platform to exchange experiences and lessons learned from constitutional transitions in Africa.
Lastly, International IDEA has a wide range of knowledge resources relating to the design of constitution building processes in fragile and conflict affected states, including a searchable database on post-conflict constitution-building processes.
