In any conflict, dozens of meetings are held between parties that do not result in a peace agreement. While many of these meetings do little more than provide atmosphere, some may contribute to achieving goals peripheral to an actual peace agreement. Peace talks often involve a complex mix of issues that are not easily resolved and require lengthy discussions.
Peacemakers face significant challenges that can impede the effectiveness of negotiations, such as structural barriers and political motivations. Structural barriers are shaped by the internal structures of negotiating parties and can include a party’s ideological, political, and security interests. They can also include spoiling groups that actively resist any peace process that contradicts their views.
Moreover, political motivations can lead to insufficient preparation for negotiations or to an unrealistic expectation of their outcome. In addition to the above, some negotiating partners may have a history of mistrust and resentment toward other parties. Lastly, peace negotiations can be complicated by exogenous shocks, which can disrupt the flow of the talks or trigger a backlash against the peace process.
Despite these challenges, it is still possible to shorten conflicts by initiating peace talks early. As such, it is critical for a mediator to build trust and listen to grievances while finding creative solutions that can guarantee each party’s interests. Depending on the nature of a conflict, mediators can use different approaches to negotiate a solution such as: