The Global Peace Index ranks Niger, Burundi, and Zimbabwe similarly in terms of peacefulness, with all three countries facing various conflicts. Local and national mediation structures are actively engaged in peacebuilding and conflict resolution efforts to address underlying issues. These countries share contextual factors conducive to insider mediation development, such as low Human Development Index rankings and inaccessible conflict-affected areas. In Zimbabwe, a lack of state legitimacy has allowed civil society organizations to play a significant role in national dialogue efforts. However, there are disparities in insider mediation levels, with Zimbabwe operating at a higher track level compared to Burundi and Niger. Common challenges include youth exclusion, the need for capacity building, and limited networking opportunities. Exclusion of women in mediation initiatives is also observed in Niger and Burundi. These countries are of strategic importance to the EU but are challenging for EU actors to engage due to political constraints. To address these issues, a program titled “Building Peace from the Inside: Supporting Insider Mediation for Sustainable Transformation of Conflict” was launched in January 2020 by Search for Common Ground and its partners, funded by the European Commission. The program aims to contribute to peace and stability in Burundi, Niger, and Zimbabwe by training and supporting insider mediators.
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