Reasons for Delays and Deadlocks in Peace Negotiations with Militant Groups: A Case Study of the Pakistani Taliban

Abstract

Due to a variety of factors, peace talks with violent groups frequently stall and become deadlocked. It is possible that some factors are present in every peace process. Understanding the causes of delays and deadlocks and how to prevent or overcome (at least some of) those issues can be achieved by identifying and gaining insight into such factors. This study aims to clarify the four causes that caused the peace talks between the Pakistani Taliban and the government to be delayed until 2014: agenda-setting, demands, formation of negotiation committees, and violence. The inclusion of the topics of interest in the negotiation agenda was desired by both parties. Both the government and the Taliban had nearly exhausted due to the never-ending and apparently uncontrollable process of presenting conditions, preconditions, demands, and counterdemands. Another laborious procedure was the establishment of negotiation committees by the Taliban and the government. Both parties were required to substitute the individuals nominated or members of their respective committees. The peace process continued to be repeatedly derailed by acts of violence, such as drone strikes, bomb blasts, and suicide assaults.