Briefly: Five Ingredients for Lasting Peace Agreements with Aly Verjee

We know that it’s hard to stay up to date on USIP’s latest publications, so we’ve challenged our teams to summarize their latest research in less than a minute. This is Briefly. Conflicts don’t just end with a peace agreement, and while nearly all agreements establish an institution to monitor the deal’s implementation, we know very little about what makes these institutions successful. That was until USIP research identified five factors that make the difference: First, leadership matters. A successful institution requires a credible, competent senior leader who is present full time. Part-time oversight is ineffective. Second, preparations need to begin before the agreement is signed so that oversight institutions are effective on day one.

00:52 - Third, there should be continuity between oversight institutions and the mediators who oversaw the negotiations. Fourth, mandates need to be realistic. These institutions can’t solve everything, but they can help keep peace agreements on track. Finally, there need to be clear lines of accountability, so that it is clear where the buck stops. .