When a terrorist organization is involved in a conflict, can there be a negotiated solution? What are the lessons learned from mediation attempts with terrorist organization al-Shabaab in Somalia?
This webinar features for the first time key mediators, middlemen and UN officials that were involved in attempting to find mediated solution to end the conflict in Somalia – including reaching out to the al-Shabaab. These attempts faced serious challenges and at times obstruction from national, regional and international actors causing all of the attempts eventually to fail prolonging the conflict.
Webinar speakers include: Christian Manahl, former Deputy UN Special Representative in Somalia; Patrick loots, who headed disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of al-Shabaab combatants; Abdullahi Farah, who assisted both UN and Government of Finland in outreach to al-Shabaab; and Rowda Olad, who reintegrated al-Shabaab through psychotherapeutic approaches. Discussion is moderated by Director of the Mary Hoch Canter for Reconciliation Antti Pentikainen, who led several of the mediation attempts for the UN.