Ceasefire

What is a Ceasefire?

A ceasefire (also known as a truce or armistice) is a stoppage of war where each side agrees to suspend aggressive actions often due to mediation by a third party.

Formal vs. Informal Ceasefires

Ceasefires may be declared as part of a formal treaty but also as part of an informal understanding between opposing forces. They can occur via mediation, peace process, or be imposed by United Nations Security Council resolutions. Have you ever wondered how such agreements are reached and what they mean for the people involved?

Historical Context

The concept of a ceasefire existed as early as the Middle Ages, known as a ‘truce of God’. Notable examples include:

• The unofficial Christmas truce on the Western Front during World War I
• The Karachi Agreement of 1949
• The Korean Armistice Agreement in 1953
• A 24-hour truce declared by South Vietnam and the United States on New Year’s Day, 1968. The Viet Cong and North Vietnam did not adhere to the truce in 1973.
• Iraq and the UN Security Council signed a ceasefire agreement on March 3, 1991
• A UN-mediated ceasefire ended the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 in Kashmir on January 1, 1949.
• India declared a ceasefire in Kashmir Valley during Ramadan in 2018
• The Irish Republican Army held Christmas ceasefires
• An example of a ceasefire was announced between Israel and the Palestinian National Authority on February 8, 2005. Qatar negotiated a truce between Israel and Hamas on November 21, 2023.

Modern Ceasefires

In recent years, several attempts have been made to broker ceasefires in various conflicts:

• Syrian Civil War: Multiple attempts have been made to reach a ceasefire agreement. The complexity of this conflict makes it challenging for any single solution.
• Russo-Ukrainian War: Several ceasefires were proposed but often failed due to the ongoing tensions and political complexities involved.
• 2020 Global Ceasefire: In response to UN Secretary-General’s appeal for a global ceasefire during the COVID-19 pandemic, 170 UN Member States and Observers signed a non-binding statement in support of the appeal on June 24, 2020. The UN Security Council passed a resolution demanding a general and immediate global cessation of hostilities for at least 90 days.
• 2024 Israel-Hezbollah Ceasefire: On November 26, 2024, US President Joe Biden announced a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. This agreement was seen as a significant step towards peace in the region but faced challenges due to ongoing hostilities.

Challenges of Ceasefires

Ceasefire agreements are more likely to be reached when the costs of conflict are high and actors have lower audience costs. Scholars emphasize that war termination is more likely when actors have information about each other, credible commitments, and domestic political situations allowing for leaders to make war termination agreements without incurring punishment.

Conclusion

A ceasefire can be a powerful tool in ending violence, but it often faces numerous challenges. As we look at the history of ceasefires and their modern applications, one thing becomes clear: achieving lasting peace requires not just stopping the fighting, but also addressing the underlying issues that led to conflict in the first place.