Ceasefires
A review of the practice and content of ceasefire agreements and provisions in peace agreements. The article include a discussion on the definition of ‘ceasefire’ and related terms, such as cessation of hostilities, truce, and armistice. The article then goes on to discuss the purpose of ceasefires and how they may relate to peace processes as well as their tactical uses. Lastly, through a review of the PA-X peace agreement database, the article explains the three main thematic areas that are included in ceasefire agreements, highlighting the variety of uses and focuses as well as often inherently political themes that are brought up in such agreements. The main areas are: security provisions and provisions mitigating conflict escalation including limitations on rhetoric and the media. As well as a further break down on the content of humanitarian provisions that include displacement and return, humanitarian aid, access and reconstruction and the matter of prisoner release.
