What is a Ceasefire Agreement?

A Ceasefire agreement is a suspension of hostilities between parties in an international or non-international armed conflict. The agreement can be a first step towards a negotiated peace settlement or an interim agreement addressing the immediate causes of the conflict (eg limiting weapons possession, cease-fire lines and buffer zones).

Ceasefire agreements typically contain provisions for verification, supervision and monitoring, separation of armed forces, repatriation of prisoners of war, returns of internally displaced persons and refugees, restitution and compensation of claims and war crimes issues, as well as ad hoc provisions that address particular aspects of the conflict or set out an agenda for a more comprehensive future agreement. These mechanisms can be wholly international, or comprise a mix of national and international actors, military and civilian. They can be permanent or of a specified duration.

It is also common for ceasefire agreements to involve the withdrawal of external troops. This raises a difficult legal issue: does the withdrawal of these troops legitimize the continued presence and use of force by the State from which they were withdrawn?

As with all mediation and conflict resolution processes, there are many factors that contribute to a successful outcome. In addition to the political and social dimensions, technical considerations are crucial. For example, the 2022 DPPA Guidance on Mediation of Ceasefires draws upon global experience to highlight the many complex technical issues that may affect the negotiation and mediation of a ceasefire. Read the full Guidance here.