Peace negotiation process and outcome: considering Colombia and Turkey in comparative perspective

Abstract

Adopting a negotiation process analysis perspective, this article analyzes the peace negotiation processes in Colombia (2012–2016) and Turkey (2012–2015) with a focus on three aspects of the negotiation process: the timing of the negotiations, the actors in the negotiation process, and transparency. In the Colombian case, the formation of a clear negotiation framework at the start of official negotiations in August 2012 helped the process to stay on track until the signing of the General Agreement in 2016. Conversely, the negotiations in Turkey did not proceed based on a clear framework and stalled in 2015 amid domestic and regional developments because of a lack of clear representatives and of monitoring third parties to keep the process on track. As the Colombian case shows, the existence of a commonly agreed and clear negotiation framework may increase resilience that help mitigate the potential for domestic and external risks to derail the process.