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Töpperwien focuses on third party interventions in the field of mediation and constitution building in conflict contexts. Based on different practitioner-oriented literature, she looks at the different processes and sub-processes around the nexus to analyse the theories of change and the resulting intervention strategies that focus on the transition from armed intra-state conflict to a functioning constitutional order. She identifies the perceived similarities and differences, tensions and complementarities in respect to applied principles that can be encountered.

• Year2019
• Author(s)Nicole Töpperwien

Nathan seeks to contribute to an understanding of the relationship between comprehensive peace agreements (CPAs) and post-conflict constitutions (PCCs). He defines a PCC as a new or revised constitution enacted as part of efforts to end a violent intra-state conflict and prevent its recurrence. This definition focuses on the purpose and not the timing of the constitutional reform. It encompasses constitutional reform that precedes, follows or takes the place of a CPA in an intended transition from intra-state conflict to sustainable peace. On this background, Nathan addresses three questions: How do conflict parties see the substantive and legal relationship between CPAs and PCCs when they are negotiating a settlement to end armed conflict? Why do the parties to a CPA frequently wish to constitutionalize their negotiated settlement in whole or in part? And what is the substantive and legal relationship between CPAs and PCCs after constitutional reform has taken place?

• Year2019
• Author(s)Laurie Nathan

Nindorera analyses the regional mediation process of the Arusha Accords in Burundi. The process, first chaired by president of Tanzania Nyerere and then by Nelson Mandela, lasted for over two years and led to very comprehensive and detailed peace agreements.

• Year2019
• Author(s)Willy Peter Nindorera

Cette étude sur les interactions entre le processus de paix burundais et le(s) processus d’élaboration de(s) la constitution(s) qui a (ont) suivi s’inscrit dans le cadre d’un projet plus vaste portant sur diverses études de cas similaires où des conflits à dimension politicoidentitaire ont conduit à des négociations de paix menées sous médiation internationale, qui ont abouti par la suite à des processus de réforme et/ou de changement constitutionnel.

• Year2019
• Author(s)Willy Peter Nindorera

Sarti and Álvarez jointly examine the Guatemalan Peace Accords of 1996, which put an end to the 36-year long civil war that was characterized by a high civilian death rate and widespread commitment of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

• Year2019
• Author(s)Andrés Álvarez Castañeda, Carlos Alberto Sarti Castañeda

Aunque instituciones y expertos/as han resaltado la importancia de analizar la influencia de la construcción de constituciones en los procesos de paz poco se ha publicado sobre este tema en Guatemala. El caso de Guatemala amerita un especial análisis, dado el tiempo que transcurrió entre el retorno a la democracia y elaboración de la Constitución vigente, y la negociación, firma e implementación de los procesos de paz: La Constitución actual entró en vigor en 1985 y el Acuerdo de Paz se firmó 11 años después, en diciembre de 1996.

• Year2019
• Author(s)Andrés Álvarez Castañeda, Carlos Alberto Sarti Castañeda

Stankovski looks at the case of the Republic of Macedonia and the Ohrid Framework Agreement (OFA) of 2001, which averted a full-blown civil war, the subsequent constitution making process, and the implementation of the constitution.

• Year2019
• Author(s)Boshko Stankovski

This strategic framework was developed based on the 10th Annual Meeting on Negotiations entitled ‘Security Transition and Political Transformation’ held in San Sebastian, Spain, in October 2018. It provides an overview of the most frequent challenges resistance and liberation movements (RLMs) face with regard to transition processes and ways to address such challenges. While in no way exhaustive, we hope that our readers find this overview useful both for reflection and for enhancing their own negotiation strategies.

• Year2019

Since 2006 Somalia is caught in a spiral of violence and suffering from continuing attacks by the Salafi jihadi Armed Group (SJAG) al-Shabaab. This case study report asks under which circumstances al-Shabaab has reduced its violent behaviour in the past and explores the experiences and options for third party dialogue engagement.

• Year2019
• Author(s)Karin Göldner-Ebenthal

In the Syrian civil war, the Salafi jihadi armed group Ahrar al-Sham was one of the largest and most powerful non-state armed groups. This report outlines the development of Ahrar al-Sham and explores the conditions that led to its de-escalation and analyses as a second step the role and challenges of dialogue engagement.

• Year2019
• Author(s)Karin Göldner-Ebenthal, Ahmed Elsayed