Inclusivity in Peace Processes: Civil Society and Armed Groups

2022 ◽  
pp. 235-259
Author(s):  
Suzanne Ghais
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Armed Groups ◽  
Peace Processes

Interview with Mira Kusumarini

2019 ◽  
Vol 101 (911) ◽  
pp. 437-444
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Executive Director ◽  
Armed Conflict ◽  
Civil Society Organizations ◽  
Armed Groups ◽  
Conflict Zones ◽  
Violent Extremism ◽  
Peace And Security ◽  
Women And Children ◽  
Image Position

Even during armed conflict and other situations of violence, all children are entitled to their rights and protections as children without distinction based on their age, gender, religion, or whether they are associated with an armed group. Despite this, millions of children in conflict zones face discrimination, ostracization and stigmatization. This is particularly true for children affiliated with groups designated as “terrorist”, who face a range of challenges in reintegrating into society.Civil society can play an important role at the international, regional and domestic levels in helping children formerly associated with armed groups, or otherwise affected by armed conflict, to rejoin communities. Mira Kusumarini is a professional in the peace and security field in Indonesia who works to address the problems of women and children who have been associated with armed groups, and to help them reintegrate them into society. She is the Executive Director of the Coalition of Civil Society Against Violent Extremism (C-SAVE), a collaborative network of civil society organizations.In this interview, she discusses the challenges involved in the reintegration of children who have been associated with extremist groups in Indonesia and the stigma they face, as well as the importance of empathy in helping communities to heal.

Managing the Tension between Inclusionary and Exclusionary Processes: Building Peace in Burundi

2008 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth McClintock ◽  
Térence Nahimana
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Peace Process ◽  
Peace Agreement ◽  
Peace Processes ◽  
Peace Agreements ◽  
Peace Accords ◽  
Exclusive Processes

AbstractThe tension between inclusive and exclusive approaches is present throughout peace processes. The challenge of facilitators, mediators, and parties alike is to determine how to manage these tensions, how to integrate various processes into a comprehensive whole and ensure that those required to implement the peace agreement have access to the process that creates the peace agreement. In particular, how can civil society, an actor of ever-increasing importance in the implementation of peace agreements, be effectively included in the design of the accords? This article examines the tension between inclusive and exclusive processes within the context of the Burundi peace process and the development of the Arusha Peace Accords.

Myanmar talks have not lessened two-track deal risks

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Ethnic Minority ◽  
Peace Process ◽  
Armed Groups ◽  
Economic Interests ◽  
Content Type ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
The Government

Significance The talks are part of the effort to end decades of fighting between Myanmar's military (Tatmadaw) and various ethnic minority armed groups (EMAGs). Impacts Myanmar's government will need further Chinese support to bring north-eastern EMAGs back into the peace process. Vested economic interests will likely complicate reaching any peace deal. The government will have difficulty securing new NCA signatories while managing ties with the FPNCC. Pressure will grow for greater civil society involvement in the Panglong process, including media, hitherto barred.

Peacebuilding and Gender Inclusivity

2019 ◽  
pp. 385-402
Author(s):  
Adrineh Gregorian
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Civil Society Organizations ◽  
Women's Groups ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Conflict Zones ◽  
Safe Spaces ◽  
Peace Processes ◽  
Negotiation Tactics ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Women's Role

The work of women’s groups and organizations in conflict zones is underestimated and underresourced, yet these groups continue to be a voice of the marginalized. By examining the case of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, this chapter seeks to demonstrate how women’s role in peacebuilding is pivotal and should not be trivialized. Women have proven to be more nonviolent, they have differentiated needs in conflict, and they are more successful at utilizing out-of-the-box methods. When official top-down approaches fail women, civil society organizations step in to fill the gaps. Whereas formal negotiation tactics often seem to be fruitless, out-of-the-box tools are created to develop connections and safe spaces to share, listen, and build empathy. These steps should not be overlooked; instead, they underscore that women’s inclusion in peace processes is imperative.

Including Minority Rights in Peace Agreements: A Benefit or Obstacle to Peace Processes after Ethnic Conflicts?

2012 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 359-397 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tina Kempin Reuter
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Civil Society ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Bosnia And Herzegovina ◽  
Implementation Process ◽  
Political Stability ◽  
Minority Rights ◽  
Ethnic Conflicts ◽  
Peace Processes ◽  
Peace Agreements

Dealing effectively and efficiently with minorities and minority problems in the aftermath of ethnic conflict is central to durable and stable peace. The inclusion of minority rights in peace agreements is seen as a mandatory step in the resolution of the conflict and political stability. While references to human rights and minority rights are common, it is the implementation process that often lacks clarity and thoroughness. On the basis of three case studies, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, and Kosovo, this study examines how human rights and minority rights provisions are put into practice and how they impact the peace process. Findings suggest that the inclusion of minority rights is only beneficial in cases in which relevant institutions and adequate political and civil society support were established to implement the provisions. Formal reference to ethnic problems or minority rights is not sufficient.

Directing Disengagement

2016 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philippe Duhart
Keyword(s):  
Peace Process ◽  
Armed Groups ◽  
Political Leaders ◽  
Coordination Problems ◽  
Sinn Fein ◽  
Peace Processes ◽  
Direct Association ◽  
Republican Movement ◽  
Irish Case ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractThis article examines the relationship between the structure of politico-military movements and effective insurgent engagement in peace processes. Drawing on the experiences of Irish republicans and Basque separatists, I argue that centralized movement structures in which politicos wield influence over armed groups allow for effective coordination between movement wings in peace efforts while providing political leaders with credibility as interlocutors. In the Irish case, centralization enabled Sinn Fein leaders to ensure Provisional ira commitment to peace and to contain schism within the republican movement throughout the peace process. In the Basque case, movement decentralization created persistent coordination problems between wings during peace efforts, while eta’s unilateral reneging prevented political allies from establishing credibility as peacemakers. These cases show that while movement leaders untainted by direct association with armed groups may be more politically palatable than those with ties to “terrorists”, tainted leaders may make more credible partners for peace.

scholarly journals The pursuit of inclusion: Conditions for civil society inclusion in peace processes in communal conflicts in Kenya

2021 ◽  
pp. 001083672110471
Author(s):  
Emma Elfversson ◽  
Desirée Nilsson
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Implementation Phase ◽  
Youth Groups ◽  
Peace Negotiations ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Peace Processes ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Different Types ◽  
The Government

Why are some peace processes in communal conflicts more inclusive of civil society actors than others? Inclusion of civil society actors, such as churches and religious leaders, women’s organizations, or youth groups, is seen as important for normative reasons, and studies also suggest that civil society inclusion can improve the prospects for durable peace. Yet, we have a very limited understanding of why we observe inclusion in some communal conflicts but not others. We address this gap by theorizing about various forms of civil society inclusion in local peace processes, and examining to what extent involvement by different types of third-party actors—governments, inter-governmental organizations (IGOs), and non-governmental organizations (NGOs)—may contribute to inclusion. Empirically, we draw on a combination of cross-case and in-depth data covering peace negotiations in communal conflicts in Kenya. The findings show that civil society was less frequently included as facilitators when the government was involved as a third party, while inclusion in the form of direct participation of civil society in negotiations, or via involvement in the implementation phase, was equally common across different types of third-party actors. Our study thus provides important new insights regarding how inclusion plays out in communal conflicts.

Sudan peace pact narrows constitutional options

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Transitional Period ◽  
Armed Groups ◽  
Peace Agreement ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Strong Signal ◽  
Peace Processes ◽  
Government Decision

Significance In preparation for this, Sudan’s transitional authorities on October 18 incorporated the peace agreement’s provisions into the ‘Constitutional Declaration’, the provisional constitution covering the transitional period. Impacts Including the peace agreement into the constitution sends a strong signal to armed groups of the government’s commitment. This show of goodwill may accelerate pending peace processes with holdout armed groups. Establishing a transitional legislature will add a new centre of power, which could complicate government decision making.

Civil Society and Peace Negotiations: Confronting Exclusion

2008 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darren Kew ◽  
Anthony Wanis-St. John
Keyword(s):  
Conflict Resolution ◽  
Civil Society ◽  
Significant Influence ◽  
Strong Correlation ◽  
International Conflict ◽  
Peace Agreement ◽  
Peace Negotiations ◽  
Peace Processes ◽  
Post Conflict ◽  
Civil Society Participation

AbstractThe fact that civil society groups play important roles in post-conflict peacebuilding has entered the mainstream of international conflict resolution dogma. Rarely do local civil society groups get a seat at the negotiation table for peace accords. Although the exclusion of civil society from peace negotiations may streamline the process, the absence of civil society voices and interests at the negotiating table can negatively impact the sustainability of a peace agreement during peacebuilding. Surveying a wide variety of different peace processes, a strong correlation was found between active civil society participation in peace negotiations and the durability of peace during the peacebuilding phase. Cases in which civil society groups actively engaged in peace negotiations seemed to enjoy more sustained peace in the peacebuilding phase. This holds true also for cases in which civil society groups did not have a direct seat at the table, but did exercise significant influence with the negotiators because they were democratic actors. War resumed in many cases not characterized by direct or indirect civil society involvement in the peace negotiations. No claim of causality is made; the sustainability of peace surely rests on causes as complex and dynamic as the initiation of war does. However, these findings do call attention to the need for further research to understand the special impact that civil society inclusion at the peace table may have.

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