29 ISSUE ISSUE Aan internationalccord review of peace initiatives Pioneering peace pathways Making connections to end violent conflict 29 Accord ISSUE an international review of peace initiatives Pioneering peace pathways Making connections to end violent conflict August 2020 // Issue Editor Cate Buchanan Accord // ISSUE 29 // www.c-r.org Published by Conciliation Resources, to inform and strengthen peace processes worldwide by documenting and analysing the lessons of peacebuilding Published by Acknowledgements Conciliation Resources Appreciation is extended to: Burghley Yard, 106 Burghley Road London, NW5 1AL Authors for drafting articles in a time of unprecedented uncertainty and anxiety in many www.c-r.org corners of the world and delivering articles with Telephone +44 (0)20 7359 7728 competing demands on all fronts. Fax +44 (0)20 7359 4081 Peer reviewers for providing sharp insights Email [email protected] and ideas to strengthen articles. Charity registered in England and Wales Conciliation Resources is grateful to the (1055436). Company limited by guarantee Sasakawa Peace Foundation and the Swiss registered in England and Wales (03196482). Federal Department of Foreign Affairs for support for the Accord Pathways to Peace Talks project. Director of Accord and Series Editor Opinions expressed by all contributors Alexander Ramsbotham are their own. Issue Editor The contents of this publication are the sole Cate Buchanan responsibility of Conciliation Resources. Commissioning Editor and Editorial Manager Sally Holt Executive Director Jonathan Cohen Director of Policy and Learning Teresa Dumasy Policy Officer Felix Colchester Policy and Learning Assistant Callum MacLean Copyedited by Aaron Griffiths Designed and typeset by Soapbox designbysoapbox.com © Conciliation Resources 2020 Permission is granted for reproduction and use of the materials for educational purposes. Please acknowledge your source when using the materials and notify Conciliation Resources – see guidance below. Cover photo: The ‘Camel Caravan’, an annual trek to promote peaceful coexistence between communities in Northern Kenya, moves between Gotu and Bojidera in Isiolo County, Kenya, August 2018. © Weltfriedensdienst ISSN 1365–0742 ISBN 978–1–905805–28–0 References to this publication should be cited using the following format: Buchanan, Cate (ed.) Pioneering peace pathways – Making connections to end violent conflict, Accord 29 (London: Conciliation Resources, 2020) Example of citation of a specific article within the publication: Corbu, Vlad. 'From ceasefire to disarmament without states – Lessons from the Basque Country', in Cate Buchanan (ed.) Pioneering peace pathways – Making connections to end violent conflict, Accord 29 (London: Conciliation Resources, 2020) Contents Acronyms 5 Introduction – Pioneering peace pathways 6 Section 1: Setting the scene 13 Building political will for dialogue – Pathways to peace talks in Colombia 14 Setting the stage for peace processes – The role of nonviolent movements 21 Deciding on dialogue – Pathways out of violence for armed opposition movements 26 The dynamics and challenges of funding peace 30 Section 2: Perspectives on peacemaking practice and case studies 37 Unsticking stalled peace processes – Insider mediator perspectives from Myanmar 38 Navigating local and central dynamics – Peacemaking with the Taliban 43 Peace secretariats and dialogue promotion – Potential and limitations 48 Self-determination and peace processes 53 International support for civil society involvement in peacemaking in South Sudan 60 Pathways to peace in Ogaden – Navigating symbolism in early peace talks 64 Reflections from a donor-doer – Fostering peace pathways in Southern Thailand 72 Section 3: Testing new approaches 77 The role of social media in early peacemaking – Help or hindrance? 78 Digital analysis – Peacemaking potential and promise 83 An experiment in inclusion? Informal peacemaking in Manbij, Syria 88 Young people and pre-formal peacemaking – Tapping into technology 93 From ceasefire to disarmament without states – Lessons from the Basque Country 97 Rethinking peace processes – Preventing electoral crisis in Kenya 104 Walking for peace – Camel Caravan in northern Kenya 109 Conclusion and recommendations – Making connections to end violence 111 Further reading 116 Pioneering peace pathways // 4 Acronyms AANES Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria ARCSS Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan AU African Union BBI Building Bridges for a New Kenya Initiative [Kenya] BGF Border Guard Force [Myanmar] BRN Barisan Revolusi Nasional [Southern Thailand] CAB Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro [Philippines] COCE Central Command [see ELN] CR Conciliation Resources CSO Civil society organisation DAG Dialogue Advisory Group DDR Disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration DRG Dialogue Reference Group [Kenya] EAO Ethnic Armed Organisation [Myanmar] ELN Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional/National Liberation Army [Colombia] ETA Euskadi Ta Askatasuna [Basque Country] FARC Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia/Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia FPD Framework for Political Dialogue [Myanmar] FTA Free Trade Agreement HLRF High-Level Revitalization Forum for South Sudan ICC International Criminal Court ICCPR International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights ICESCR International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights IGAD Intergovernmental Authority on Development INGO International non-governmental organisation IVC International Verification Commission [Basque Country] KDP Kurdistan Democratic Party KIO Kachin Independence Organisation [Myanmar] KNDR Kenya National Dialogue and Reconciliation KTM Kenya Tuitakayo Movement LTTE Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam [Sri Lanka] MARA Patani Majelis Amanah Rakiyat Patani [Southern Thailand] MILF Moro Islamic Liberation Front [Philippines] MSU Mediation Support Unit MPC Myanmar Peace Centre NCA Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement [Myanmar] NCCT Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team [Myanmar] NCYBU Nakuru County Youth Bunge Association [Kenya] NGO Non-governmental organisation NRPC National Reconciliation and Peace Centre [Myanmar] NUG National Unity Government [Afghanistan] ONLF Ogaden National Liberation Front [Somali Regional State, see SRS] PKK Kurdistan Workers’ Party PNV Basque Nationalist Party PP Partido Popular [Basque Country] PULO Patani United Liberation Organisation [Southern Thailand] PYD Democratic Unity Party [Kurdistan] SD Self-determination SDF Syrian Democratic Forces SPF Sasakawa Peace Foundation SRSG Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General SRS Somali Regional State Tatmadaw Myanmar Armed Forces UNAMA United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan UNSMIS United Nations Supervision Mission in Syria UPDJC Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee [Myanmar] YPG People’s Protection Units [Syria] YPJ Women’s Protection Units [Syria] Introduction Pioneering peace pathways Cate Buchanan is a mediation support and process design specialist. She works for the UN Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary General – Yemen as a Senior Adviser and in advisory roles for Conciliation Resources, Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, UN Mediation Support Unit (MSU), International IDEA and UNFPA Myanmar. In 2018 Cate was a member of the UN MSU Standby Team of Experts. Previously she was a Senior Peacebuilding Adviser to the Nyein (Shalom) Foundation in Myanmar and the armed groups it works with. She also supported the Alliance for Gender. Inclusion in the Peace Process in Myanmar as an Adviser. Cate was Chief Editor of Gun Violence, Disability and Recovery (2014). From 2001–2013 she worked for the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue on violence reduction and prevention, and supporting peacemaking initiatives in Asia and the Pacific, before establishing Athena Consortium, a feminist advisory service, in 2013. This Accord publication incubated during an exceptional and governments – in dialogue and negotiated political period in international peace and security. Given the settlements. These are not neat phases. Instead they dramatic start to 2020 it could not be more apt. Covid-19 are decidedly non-linear and exemplify the ‘messiness’ has shaken up the business model of mediation and of efforts to move to dialogue and the fine balancing act peace process support. As this edition goes to press in before formal discussion, mediation or facilitation takes August 2020 there has been an ‘innovation explosion’ hold or gets back on track after stalling. The terms are in the space of a few months with significant parts not perfect. ‘Early’ is in fact invariably ‘too late’ because of peace processes moving online. The embrace of violent conflict and repression is often well established and technology that otherwise might have taken many years contesting perspectives deeply entrenched. to realise is one fascinating development. A stark focus on tackling violence has also been spurred by the UN-led global ceasefire campaign, alongside communication ‘Early’ is in fact invariably and collaboration between some conflict parties to halt ‘too late.’ ” spread of Covid-19. How long these positive features will “ last remains to be seen. Conversely, the pandemic has provided further opportunity for authoritarian governments, The articles variously touch on the necessary ‘ingredients’ and many armed groups and gangs, to tighten their grip on to forge peace dialogue, and how early peace efforts set populations and impose extensive restrictions in the name the course for subsequent phases,