Peace talks involve a process of formal negotiations among nation-states or groups of people to resolve an ongoing conflict. They are often complex and multidimensional, involving not just political and military issues but also social and economic questions and a range of other challenges including post-conflict recovery, legacy and truth-seeking, and future governance arrangements. A variety of factors can determine whether or not parties are open to peace talks, and if so, the extent to which they will be successful.
For example, the ability to understand that negotiations are not zero-sum games and that agreement is only one small step in an often long and difficult journey will help parties to see that compromises and mutual sacrifice can be made. In addition, a better understanding of the many dimensions of the conflict can help to create entry points for the negotiations.
While the focus of this article is on obstacles to peace talks, scholars are increasingly recognizing that peace processes require not only diplomatic engagement but a broad and deep approach to solving problems – e.g., addressing the legacy of conflict and identifying the truth, addressing the needs of victims, and managing trade-offs such as security reform and amnesty versus stabilization.
In some cases, the failure to address all dimensions of the conflict can undermine the effectiveness of peace talks. For example, in Burundi, an initial multiparty agreement focused on reintegrating Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups into the government and armed forces but left out two rebel movements that still carried out violence on the ground. This exclusion undermined the authority and legitimacy of the talks, and in turn hampered their ability to produce sustainable results on the ground.
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