STEP FOUR
Sustain Coordinated Support
For a mediator, the possibility of sustained coordinated support for a peace process is one of the primary attractions of a Friends mechanism. The first locus of this coordination will be the ambassadors or special envoys with whom the mediator interacts on the most frequent basis (in the conflict theater or, for a UN envoy, sometimes in New York). However, a particular advantage offered by Friends is that, as representatives of states rather than individuals, they may be simultaneously available to the mediator in a variety of locations and at a variety of levels within each government.
In the best of circumstances, this allows the mediator to encourage the coherence with which each Friend state engages with a conflict situation and/or mediation. This will be facilitated in situations in which Friend states designate an individual to coordinate their efforts on a particular conflict. For a mediator who is accustomed to contending with (or being confused by) policies fragmented within and across different government departments and agencies, this can be an asset.
Mediators should also seek to work with Friends to develop coordinated support within regional and multilateral organizations. This can be particularly helpful for mediations that appear to be progressing toward agreements that call for peace operations to monitor and support their implementation.
IGAD's mediation on Southern Sudan benefited from the links to the broader international community provided by the Troika as well as the presence of the United Nations-which had no formal political role on Sudan-as an observer to the talks. These arrangements helped prepare the UN Security Council for the creation of a UN peacekeeping operation to monitor implementation of the CPA.
Try to Maintain Consensus within the Friends
Friends will not agree on every aspect of a