Abstract

Why are some peace processes in communal conflicts more inclusive of civil society actors than others? Inclusion of civil society actors, such as churches and religious leaders, women’s organizations, or youth groups, is seen as important for normative reasons, and studies also suggest that civil society inclusion can improve the prospects for durable peace. Yet, we have a very limited understanding of why we observe inclusion in some communal conflicts but not others. We address this gap by theorizing about various forms of civil society inclusion in local peace processes, and examining to what extent involvement by different types of third-party actors—governments, inter-governmental organizations (IGOs), and non-governmental organizations (NGOs)—may contribute to inclusion. Empirically, we draw on a combination of cross-case and in-depth data covering peace negotiations in communal conflicts in Kenya. The findings show that civil society was less frequently included as facilitators when the government was involved as a third party, while inclusion in the form of direct participation of civil society in negotiations, or via involvement in the implementation phase, was equally common across different types of third-party actors. Our study thus provides important new insights regarding how inclusion plays out in communal conflicts.

Highlights

  • Why are some peace processes in communal conflicts more inclusive of civil society actors than others? In the 1990s, a grassroots-driven peace process in northeast Kenya gained attention for its achievement in restoring peaceful relations among local communities following years of conflict causing hundreds of deaths (Ibrahim Abdi and Jenner, Cooperation and Conflict 00(0)1997; Ndegwa, 2001)

  • Our study contributes to the literature on communal conflicts by providing novel insights into how third-party actors can help shape different forms of inclusion in communal conflicts across Kenya

  • We make a theoretical contribution by discussing how different types of third-party actors may influence the extent to which local civil society actors become engaged as facilitator, participate in the negotiations, or have a role in the implementation

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Summary

Introduction

Why are some peace processes in communal conflicts more inclusive of civil society actors than others? In the 1990s, a grassroots-driven peace process in northeast Kenya gained attention for its achievement in restoring peaceful relations among local communities following years of conflict causing hundreds of deaths (Ibrahim Abdi and Jenner, Cooperation and Conflict 00(0)1997; Ndegwa, 2001). In some instances, efforts to resolve communal conflict include local civic stakeholders, whereas other peace efforts entail negotiations only between political leaders or group representatives without active efforts to involve civil society.

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