Rules and Procedures for Negotiated Peacemaking

Abstract

Rules and procedures provide structure to the process of negotiating for peace. Some rules, such as time frames and deadlines, are primarily intended to provide a formal structure for the process of negotiations, while others, such as pre-set constitutional guidelines aim to shape the outcome of the negotiating process. Often this seemingly neat distinction becomes blurred, as when tight deadlines affect the thoroughness with which negotiators deal with the details of a constitutional settlement. The aim of this chapter is to consider the impact of the structuring of peace processes through such rules and procedures, with special emphasis on the role of time frames and deadlines. The following questions will be taken up:

• Who makes the rules and procedures? Participants or external third parties?

• Do these rules and procedures apply to the process or to the outcome of peacemaking, and what effect, if any, do they have on each other?

• Who acts as the enforcement agency, ensuring that the rules and procedures are upheld?