The State of Qatar has adeptly mediated numerous intricate conflicts and diplomatic issues, solidifying its reputation as an impartial international mediator respected by various observers and decision makers. Over the years, Qatar has conducted successive rounds of negotiations among conflicting parties, serving as a facilitator of dialogue. This role has been assumed either at the specific request of the concerned parties and stakeholders or initiated independently by Doha to uphold international peace and security.
Highlights of Successful Qatari Mediations
Qatari mediators have tackled many challenges and crises. Among these was the mediation between the US and the Taliban, crowned by the Doha deal in 2020 which brought a 20-year war to an end. Along similar lines, Qatar has engaged in several successful mediations:
2007: Release of Bulgarian Nurses in Libya
In 2007, Qatar succeeded in ending the crisis involving Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor in Libya, who were released after eight years of imprisonment. The medical team had been sentenced to death, later commuted to life imprisonment, on the charge of deliberate transmission of the HIV/AIDS virus to 450 Libyan children.
The deal included establishing the Libyan Fund for Children with AIDS, with contributions from Qatar and the Czech Republic. Additionally, $1 million compensation was given to the family of each infected child, along with a French pledge to equip Benghazi Hospital and train medical staff for five years involving 50 doctors.
2008: Doha Agreement on Lebanon
In December 2006, a political conflict erupted in Lebanon, leading to violence and clashes that plagued Beirut. In May 2008, Qatar hosted the Lebanese National Dialogue Conference, where a Qatar-mediated agreement was signed to end the 18-month political crisis. The agreement led to the election of Lebanese army commander Michel Suleiman for the presidency, the adoption of a new electoral law, and the formation of a national unity government.
2011: Djibouti-Eritrea Reconciliation
In 2008, a border dispute surfaced between Djibouti and Eritrea, resulting in skirmishes. In June 2010, both states agreed to refer the matter to Qatar for mediation, and in March 2011, Qatar facilitated a reconciliation between the two states.
2014: Release of Detained Nuns in Northern Syria
Qatar successfully contributed to the release of 13 detained nuns in northern Syria by facilitating the release of over 153 Syrian detainees in Syrian regime prisons. Qatari efforts began in December 2013 following direct action by the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, and continued until the nuns’ release in March 2014.
2022: Peace Agreement for Reconciliation in Chad
In August 2022, Chadian parties signed the Doha Peace Agreement, which paved the way for an inclusive national dialogue, ending conflicts between the transitional government and insurgent militias. Qatar mediated the agreement over five months, closing the gaps between conflicting parties until the crisis was resolved.
Qatar’s Vision of its Role as an Effective Mediator
Qatar has mediated several regional settlements, focusing on bridging gaps between conflicting parties to find sustainable solutions to disputes. Qatar hosts negotiations and moderates dialogues based on its vision of comprehensive peace, which sees peace as more than the absence of violence. Lasting peace must be built on justice, compromise, and human development, and requires:
- Promoting human development, particularly in public health, education, and employment.
- Focusing on economic recovery.
- Young people’s political and economic inclusion.
- Defending human rights continuously.
- Rejecting injustice and exclusion, and promoting social cohesion.
Qatar’s Political Vision in Mediation Processes
Qatar’s foreign policy and mediation processes are based on several principles:
- Moral Premise: Also known as “humanitarian diplomacy,” this encompasses conflict resolution, international mediation, humanitarian relief, and reconstruction.
- Preventive Diplomacy: Qatar proposes proactive treatments and solutions, rather than endorsing proactive wars, aiming for peace, reducing violence, and safeguarding rights.
- Internal Reform: Emphasizing all forms of reform, giving Qatar a strong base to play an effective role on the international stage.
The Country’s Role as an Accepted Mediator: Afghanistan as a Model
“Article 7 of the Constitution of the State of Qatar stipulates that our foreign policy is based on the principle of strengthening international peace and security by promoting the peaceful resolution of international conflicts and cooperation with all states seeking peace.”
This principle was emphasized by Qatar’s Foreign Minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, in February 2022 during a workshop held by the Chatham House Institute in Britain, where he discussed Qatar’s role as an accepted mediator and Qatar’s unique perspective on promoting peaceful solutions through diplomacy and dialogue.
Al-Thani pointed out that each state has a role to play on the world stage, and Qatar’s foreign policy has a unique perspective that allows it to promote peaceful solutions to conflicts based on diplomacy and dialogue. Qatar, Al-Thani added, accomplishes this task through mediation, promoting development, humanitarian assistance and the fight against terrorism, and works hard to mobilize its efforts and resources for the sake of peace. Qatar’s ultimate objective is to ensure a better future for all.
Qatar’s foreign policy, Al-Thani explained, depended on bilateral and multilateral alliances as appeared in Afghanistan in either the implementation of large-scale evacuations or the coordination of assistance to the Afghan people, as consolidated efforts had been a key factor for such achievement.
Al-Thani spoke about the relationship between Qatar and the United States of America, where he stated that diplomatic relations have been very strong for 50 years. In the same vein, he touched on hosting talks between the United States and the Taliban for about 7 years, until reaching an agreement, as well as hosting Afghanistan’s internal dialogue.
His speech also indicated close coordination between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on the issue of Afghanistan, where he emphasized that in February 2022 Doha hosted a meeting between the Taliban and the representative of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), to make clear the situation of countries that do not engage in the Afghan issue.
What are the secrets to the success and effectiveness of Qatari mediation?
“Geneva East” is the description currently given by some observers to Qatar, which is evidence of its success in imposing itself as a mediator between conflicting parties. At present, diplomatic mediation has become a key element of Qatar’s independent and renewed regional policy, giving it advantage over its neighbors in the Gulf and the Middle East.
There are many reports and studies in various languages on Qatari mediation, confirming mediation has become a component of Qatar’s identity and a mark on the country’s foreign policy. Certainly, there are reasons for this success and the effectiveness of Qatari mediation:
- Constitution
Mediation is an essential part of the Qatari Constitution, which was approved in April 2003, by Article VII of the Constitution. This was the article mentioned by Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in his talks at the workshop, which underscores the value of mediation for the State of Qatar. Consequently, all the State’s institutions and capabilities are pushed to this direction, as the State’s desire meets its capacity to act.
- Wise Leadership
Resources are important, but leadership is more crucial considering its role in managing and directing resources. This was embodied in the personality of the country’s former ruler, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, between 1995 and 2013, and the former PM and top diplomat, Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim.
The Qatari administration, under their leadership, created the domestic climate necessary for placing Qatar at the forefront of countries economically and diplomatically, overcoming weaknesses resulting from the small size of the country.
Qatar’s wise leadership continued with Prince Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani upon his ascent to power in 2013, besides the PM and top diplomat Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani. Qatar’s efforts to manage mediation files continued, giving Qatar a well-deserved mediation position it has maintained so far.
- Qatar’s wealth
Qatar has a substantial financial solvency that enables it to sustain the consequences of mediation missions, especially as conflicts usually break out in poor countries, which requires considerable support. The small population, additionally, gives the Qatari leadership space to act, away from the popular and economic pressures experienced by other neighboring countries.
- Changes in the global orders
In addition to all previous elements, the vast changes in the global order have facilitated Qatar’s emergence as a strong player that is constantly growing in strength.
As such, Qatar has acquired the necessary elements to manage mediation processes, and its leadership has succeeded in establishing an integrated and structured methodology that has made mediation part of its identity. Qatar has already committed itself to fulfilling this role over the 20 years since the promulgation of Article VII of its Constitution.
