Exploring Covert Peace Negotiations: Strategies of Representative Selection

• In Event: Shaping Conflict Narratives: Global Perspectives

Abstract

States have increasingly adopted alternative approaches to engage with non-state armed groups to resolve conflicts. The study examines how government-appointed negotiators, acting as representatives, influence the perceived credibility and legitimacy of democratic states in the eyes of rebel groups. The research argues that the selection of high-level representatives by governments in the negotiation process significantly contributes to achieving democracies' primary goal of a violence-free state. These negotiators play a pivotal role in building trust and enhancing the government's credibility among rebel groups, creating a conducive atmosphere for conflict resolution. This trust and credibility, in turn, affect the commitment of rebel groups to the peace process and directly contribute to the reduction or cessation of rebel violence. Conversely, engaging low-level representatives fails to foster trust, resulting in the continuation of violent activities by rebel groups. To investigate these hypotheses, the study employs a large-N analysis of a newly compiled dataset and conducts case analyses to explore the causal mechanisms at play further. By examining the impact of representative selection in secret negotiations, this research seeks to offer valuable insights into the effectiveness of such negotiations in quelling violence.

Author

• Sumeyye Kaya Uyar, Koc University