A ceasefire agreement is an arrangement formally suspending hostilities in both international and non-international armed conflicts. It may be unilateral or negotiated between parties to a conflict. It can be local, referring to a defined geographic area, or general, encompassing the entire conflict. It can be of a permanent or limited duration.
Ceasefire agreements are a key part of a pre-negotiation phase in a peace process. They aim to halt violence while allowing for more formal negotiations that address the root causes of conflict. They can be ad hoc or comprehensive, and can include a range of other issues including:
Many modern ceasefire agreements are aimed at addressing both the military and political dimensions of conflict. In particular, in protracted social conflicts (often ethnically driven), they often operate not just as a’stopping-gap’ but as a pre-negotiation agreement framing and shaping substantive negotiations.
Achieving an effective ceasefire is difficult. Various technical aspects need to be considered and agreed upon to ensure its success, notably:
About the Author
