Alternative Dispute Resolution in International Law: Methods and Mechanisms

The aim of this article is to assess the peaceful and alternative mechanisms for resolving international disputes, to determine how effective these legal and political approaches are, and why they sometimes fail. The article takes an in-depth look at negotiation, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial resolution, and the role of international organizations. The methodology is bibliographic and qualitative. Through document analysis and thematic analysis, the UN Charter, the African Union Protocols, the Hague Conventions, the New York Convention, and the decisions of the International Court of Justice are reviewed. The results show that peaceful mechanisms such as negotiation, arbitration, and judicial resolution have a legal basis, but their practical effectiveness depends on the political will of states, the independence of organizations, and the application of the law. Soft approaches are effective for simple disputes, but complex cases require judicial resolution. The conclusion is that, although legal frameworks exist, their effectiveness largely depends on the sincere cooperation of states and respect for international principles. It is recommended that the political commitment of states, the capacity of international organizations, and the scientific evaluation of conflict resolution should be further strengthened, and future research should statistically assess the practical impact of the mechanisms.