The territorial conflict between Ecuador and Peru for the Cenepa river (1995): Between a failed mediation and a succesful one

Abstract

This article analyses the territorial dispute between Ecuador and Peru in the year 1995, from the perspective of international negotiation and mediation. The main hypothesis is that this war was the result of the perception of divergent interests of territorial kind, that has an origin in a fail mediation and in a not efficient agreement that took place fifty three years before the conflict. On the other hand, the author argues that, eventually, the resolution of the Cenepa War was a result of successful mediation activity y and of effective implementation during the years 1995-1998. This article takes account of how important it is that mediation are successful in a given conflict. First, some background information is given about the 1995 war, and the negotiation and failed implementation of the Rio Protocol of 1942. Secondly, the structure of the negotiation process is analyzed between 1995 and 1998. Finally, the characteristics, process and results of this successful mediation are analyzed, before a conclusion is given.