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Initiating the negotiations -

Peace negotiations often begin after a prolonged conflict or crisis. The need for talks is usually triggered by a ceasefire, international pressure, or the exhaustion of fighting parties.

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The role of third parties -

Initially, third parties, such as the United Nations (UN) or international organizations, facilitate dialogue between the conflicting parties. Their role is crucial in ensuring that both sides agree to enter negotiations with a willingness to find a peaceful solution.

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Choosing a neutral venue -

After agreeing to engage, parties often meet in neutral venues like Geneva, Oslo, or Addis Ababa, which offer a secure and impartial space for negotiations. Pictured are Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev in Geneva, 1985.

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Avoiding geographical advantages -

The selection of the venue plays a significant role in building trust, as it ensures that neither party has a geographical advantage. International mediators help in this process. Pictured is the signing of the Guatemalan ceasefire accord in Oslo, 1996.

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Identifying key issues -

The first step in any negotiation is to identify the main issues at stake. These might include territorial disputes, political power-sharing, disarmament, or the return of refugees.

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Clear points -

In some cases, economic or cultural rights may also be on the table. By clearly identifying the points of contention, both sides can prioritize their demands and start working towards a resolution.

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Mediation -

Mediators, often representatives from neutral countries or international organizations like the UN, play a crucial role in peace negotiations. Their job is to ensure that talks remain focused, calm, and productive. 

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Bridging divides -

They help facilitate dialogue, offer solutions, and bridge divides between conflicting parties. Notably, the UN has frequently mediated peace talks, especially in post-conflict scenarios such as in the Balkans and Sudan.

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Building confidence and trust -

In peace negotiations, trust-building is key to success. Given the history of violence, parties often harbor deep mistrust. Confidence-building measures (CBMs) are implemented early on, such as prisoner exchanges, humanitarian aid delivery, or temporary ceasefires. Pictured us an Israeli hostage reunited with family.

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Measures for a secure dialogue -

These actions help establish a more cooperative atmosphere, where both sides feel secure enough to continue the dialogue. Pictured are Palestinians returning to Gaza, 2025.

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Defining the framework for talks -

Before talks progress, a clear framework is set to guide the process. This includes setting timelines, outlining negotiation stages, and defining the roles of each party.

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A structure to the negotiations -

Both sides may agree to a roadmap, such as a phased approach to disarmament or the creation of transitional governments. The framework serves to structure the negotiation and set expectations.

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Negotiating key terms -

The core of peace negotiations involves the discussion and agreement of key terms. These may address territorial boundaries, governance structures, human rights protections, economic aid, and the reintegration of former combatants. Pictured is Martin McGuinness in 1998, Sinn Féin's negotiator in Northern Ireland's peace process.

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Good Friday Agreement -

The negotiating parties must make significant compromises to reach a settlement. For example, the 1998 Good Friday Agreement required political compromise between unionists and nationalists in Northern Ireland.

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Incorporating international law -

International law plays a significant role in peace negotiations. Human rights law, international humanitarian law, and UN charters provide a framework for determining the rights and obligations of all parties involved.

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Agreements of international legal standards -

Agreements made during peace negotiations often adhere to international legal standards to ensure that the deal respects global norms, such as the protection of civilians and the prevention of genocide.

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The role of the United Nations -

Through bodies like the UN Security Council or UN Peacekeeping Missions, the UN helps monitor ceasefires, protect civilians, and support the implementation of agreements.

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Peacekeeping missions in Rwanda -

For example, UN peacekeepers were deployed to Rwanda after the 1994 genocide to help stabilize the region and oversee peace accords.

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Securing an agreement -

Once the major issues are addressed, and both sides have made compromises, a formal agreement is drafted. This often includes specific commitments such as the cessation of hostilities, the establishment of transitional governments, and the provision of humanitarian aid. Pictured is an Israeli hostage being released in 2024.

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Signed agreement -

The agreement is usually signed by the leaders of the conflicting parties, international mediators, and sometimes representatives from the UN or regional organizations. Pictured are Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, US President Jimmy Carter, and Israeli PM Menachem Begin signing the Camp David Accords, 1978.

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Implementation of the peace deal -

Following the signing of an agreement, implementation begins. This phase often includes the demobilization of armed groups, as seen in the 2016 Colombian Peace Agreement, where FARC fighters were disarmed and victims' reparations programs were established.

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A new political framework -

It also involves the return of displaced persons or the creation of a new political framework. Pictured is Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and FARC leader Timoleón "Timochenko" Jiménez, shaking hands during the historical peace agreement signing in Cartagena, 2016.

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Reconciliation and post-conflict justice -

One of the most challenging aspects of peace negotiations is addressing the issue of reconciliation. A peace agreement might include provisions for truth commissions or post-conflict justice mechanisms to deal with war crimes and human rights abuses.

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Healing a society -

These efforts aim to heal societal divisions and provide justice to conflict victims. A key example is the Guatemalan Commission for Historical Clarification, established after the 1996 peace accords, which ended the 36-year civil war between the government and leftist insurgents.

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Challenges of power-sharing -

In many peace negotiations, particularly in ethnically or politically divided countries, power-sharing is a central issue. Negotiations may involve the creation of coalition governments or regional autonomy.

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Dayton Agreement -

For example, the Dayton Agreement in Bosnia and Herzegovina established a power-sharing framework that divided the country into different ethnic regions. Power-sharing arrangements are often fragile and require constant dialogue to maintain peace.

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The role of economic incentives -

Economic incentives are crucial in peace negotiations, promoting long-term stability through joint development programs, infrastructure rebuilding, and financial aid.

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The Marshall Plan -

The Marshall Plan, in 1948, is a prime example. The US provided US$13.3 billion to rebuild post-war Western Europe, stabilize economies, and foster cooperation, ensuring both recovery and long-term peace in the region.

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Ongoing monitoring and adjustment -

Even after an agreement is signed, ongoing monitoring and adjustments are crucial. Peacekeeping forces (pictured here in Cyprus), mediators, and local stakeholders ensure implementation, while additional negotiations may be needed to address emerging issues.

Sources: (BBC) (France 24) (United States Institute of Peace) (World Economic Forum) 

See also: What is the UN Security Council?

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