A peace agreement is a formal pact that defines the cessation of hostilities, sets troop withdrawal conditions and outlines political frameworks to facilitate conflict resolution. The goal is to lay the foundations for a more stable and peaceful society.
Many scholars have emphasized the importance of addressing the underlying causes of conflict, which often lead to violence and war. One way to do this is through the implementation of a peace agreement’s provisions on social-structural issues, which are designed to address underlying grievances.
These provisions are sometimes divided into substantive and procedural components, meaning that they either focus on what is to be achieved (substance) or how it is to be accomplished (procedure). A truth commission, for example, is a substantive provision that seeks to achieve closure and justice for past atrocities. It is often combined with a disarmament provision that aims to reduce the number of weapons in a conflict-prone region by collecting and destroying weaponry left over from previous battles.
Other substantive provisions include those that address the legitimacy of the peace process and engender trust in post-conflict institutions. These provisions often take the form of power-sharing arrangements, transitional elections and consultative mechanisms. Various studies have found that political reforms, in particular those that enhance the participation of formerly armed groups, are highly effective in reducing the probability that a civil war will recur. However, the success of these measures depends on the level of political accommodation and the willingness of parties to implement them.