Peace agreement is an agreement signed by the parties to a non-international armed conflict that is intended to bring the conflict to a close. Peace agreements typically include a set of provisions for ending the conflict and may also address issues such as power sharing, reconciliation, electoral monitoring and nation building.
Peace agreements are governed by international law. In addition, it is often important to consider whether the signatories to a peace agreement – including both States and non-State organized armed groups – have international legal personality in order to determine if an agreement is enforceable under international law (Reparation for Injuries Suffered in the Service of the United Nations [Advisory Opinion] 8-9).
A peace agreement that includes provisions addressing power sharing, elections and governance tends to lead to more stable societies but its success depends on the design and implementation. It is vital that peace agreements have the support of local stakeholders and a commitment to implement them effectively. Failure to do so risks re-igniting violence.
Despite its limited scope and longevity, the Gaza agreement may help to ease the current tensions in the region. However, the Trump administration’s approach to achieving peace through mineral and real estate deals should be avoided in future, as it is likely to yield fragile outcomes at best. Instead, future agreements should be built around strategies for resolving conflict and ensuring long-term stability, including third-party verification mechanisms, security guarantees and solutions that address the complex drivers of conflict.
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