Once again this week we see mediation being adopted on an international scale.

The most recent call for mediators (from the UN) to assist has been from Nigeria’s president, Muhammad Buhari, to mediate the release of the Chibok schoolgirls, kidnapped in 2014.

There have been previous attempts by the government in Chad to broker a deal with the kidnappers, IS linked group Boko Haram, but without success. The kidnapping led to the campaign supported by (amongst others) Michelle Obama known as #BringBackOurGirls.

The difficulty in holding talks with Boko Haram, according to the president when he spoke at the annual UN Assembly, has been the divisions within the group itself. Earlier this year there were conflicting reports from IS and Boko Haram as to who was in fact in charge of the group.

The Nigerian president said:“[the] Government had reached out, ready to negotiate, but it became difficult to identify credible leaders. We will welcome intermediaries such as UN outfits, to step in”.

Your dispute may not have such international impact but any dispute causes personal emotional and financial suffering and whatever your dispute is Northwest Mediation can assist. Call Ed Johnson on 07931318347 or via email at ed.johnson@northwestmediation.co.uk