NEGOTIATING CITIES IN 2013 AND 2014 Vicenç Fisas Director School for a Culture of Peace (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona March 2015

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1 NEGOTIATING CITIES IN 2013 AND 2014 Vicenç Fisas Director School for a Culture of Peace (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona March 2015 For various reasons most of the negotiations dealing with armed conflict or former conflicts that are yet unresolved require help from outsiders that provide locations where talks can be held. Thus, a large number of governments exist around the world that have created a true city diplomacy network, either because they are in countries acting as facilitators in the negotiations, or exiles with decision-making power over specific armed groups live in the city, or they host regional organizations, etc. This diplomacy is sometimes very public and other times it is concealed, but it is always there to facilitate the smooth operation of peace processes and, most especially, to bring together the warring parties in times of crisis. In 2013 and 2014 we have recorded a minimum of 125 cases where cities around the world have acted as "hosts". Nearly two thirds of these cities (64.8.%) are the capitals of their respective countries, so there is a certain degree of centrality, but the remaining third are cities that, for various reasons, offer advantages when holding these meetings. Obviously, the thousands of events related to the existing conflicts that take place around the world to support peace are not considered here. Getting an accurate count is impossible, but their impact is critical to building awareness with regard to the seriousness of war. Of the 125 cases analyzed, only 39 (31.2%) are meetings held in the same country; the remaining 68.8% are held abroad, hence the concept of "municipal diplomacy". By geographic region, Africa ranks first in terms of conflicts that require host cities (49 cases), of which 71.4% are African cities. Asia ranks second, with 40 cases, but with a higher percentage (87.5%) of meetings held on the same continent. In Europe, with the negotiations of several conflicts at a standstill and an armed conflict that needs a great deal of outside support to attain peace (Ukraine), there are 24 cases, but almost all of the meetings (95.8%) were held on the same continent. The Middle East, with the Israel-Palestine and Syria conflicts, is the area that needs the most extra-regional support, with half of the meetings taking place in Europe or the United States. In Latin America the only conflict active is in Colombia, which has required external support in 75% of the negotiations. The countries with the most negotiating cities are Myanmar (11 cases), due to the large number of armed groups; Ethiopia (7), due to the fact that it is where the African Union headquarters is located and also that it has had to manage multiple negotiations for conflicts in Sudan; India (6), which also has many armed groups in different states, and finally, France (5), where several leaders of Sudanese armed groups currently live. One can easily deduce the conflicts that have needed the greatest number of host cities: Myanmar (with 16 cases, all of them in Asia), Sudan (15 cases, but split between Africa and Europe), Philippines (8 meetings in Asia and 3 in other continents) and Ukraine (7 meetings in Europe). They are followed by India and Moldova (Transnistria).

2 Cities that have hosted peace process negotiations or have been involved in some stage of the process, City where the meeting was held Country Country of conflict and reason for the meeting Conflicts in Africa Berlin Germany In June 2014, the SRF armed group met with the Sudanese government. Berlin Germany Meeting of different leaders from the Sudanese group SRF, organized by the Berghof Foundation in October Angola In July 2014 the regional organizations SADC and ICGLR met in Angola to agree on a common position with regard to the disarmament of the Rwandan FDLR militias, based in DR Congo. Algiers Algeria Meetings between the Malian Government and various armed groups were held In June and July Brussels Belgium In July 2014 a meeting was held between the leaders of the JEM Sudanese group, Gibril Ibrahim faction, and the SLM- MM, M. Minnawi. Ougadougou Burkina Faso Contacts between the Malian armed group MNLA and the AU s special envoy in Mali, Pierre Buyoya, in March 2013, and subsequent negotiations with the MNLA and MAA under the mediation of the president of Burkina Faso, Blaise Compaoré, and delegates from the EU and the UN. Brazzaville Congo Ceasefire agreement in July 2014 between the armed groups from the Central African Republic. Chad In March 2014 a meeting was held between the presidents of Sudan and Chad to activate the political dialogue in Sudan. Beijing China Meetings of the Government of Southern Sudan with the SPLA-IO in September Madrid Spain In September 2014 a peace conference on Libya was held. Addis Ababa Ethiopia In September 2014 an agreement was signed between the Sudanese Government and the opposition to hold a National Dialogue. Addis Ababa Ethiopia In November 2014 peace talks were held between the Sudanese Government and the Darfur insurgency (JEM). Addis Ababa Ethiopia In 2013 several armed groups from Darfur (Sudan) that had not signed any peace agreements met under the mediation of UNAMID to discuss the humanitarian situation and the possibility of beginning peace negotiations. Addis Ababa Ethiopia In 2014 the negotiations between the Government of Sudan and the SPLM-N resumed. Addis Ababa Ethiopia In May 2014, the Government of Southern Sudan signed a peace agreement with the armed group South Sudan Democratic Movement-Cobra faction, under the auspices of the Church Leaders Mediation Initiative of South Sudan. Addis Ababa Ethiopia In January 2013 peace talks were launched between the president and the vice president of South Sudan and they continued in Addis Ababa Ethiopia In February African countries signed a peace agreement to bring stability to eastern DR Congo. Paris France In July 2014 the Sudanese Government and the opposition parties agreed to a roadmap. Paris France In July 2014 the President of Chad met with the Sudanese group JEM (Gibril Ibrahim faction) to analyze the situation in Darfur. Paris France In April 2014 the Chadian president and the leader of the Sudanese group JEM (Gibril Ibrahim faction) held a meeting. Strasbourg France In July 2014 several groups from Sudan held meetings with

3 groups from the European Parliament. Libreville Gabon Contacts in 2013 between the Government of the Central African Republic and the Séléka armed group... Guinea Bissau Meeting facilitated by the NGO Guinea-Bissau Mon ku Mon between the Senegalese armed group MFDC and the Senegalese Government in January Guinea Bissau In September 2013 a meeting was held between the leader of the MFDC armed group from Senegal, César Badiate, and the former mayor of Ziguinchor (capital of the Casamance region of Senegal), Robert Sagna.. Italy Cadres from the Malian armed group MNLA received negotiation training courses in Italy, with funding from Switzerland in Rome Italy Negotiations between the northern front of the MFDC armed group, from Senegal, with the Government of Senegal, under the mediation of the Community of Sant'Egidio, throughout 2013 and Rome Italy In June 2014 a meeting was held between the Community of Sant'Egidio and the Rwandan FDLR militia based in DR Congo. Nairobi Kenya Meetings between the Government of Ethiopia and the ONLF armed group in Nairobi Kenya Sudan and South Sudan met several times in 2014 to begin peace talks, with the mediation of IGAD. Nairobi Kenya Meetings in 2014 between Sudan and the SPLM-N armed group under the auspices of the AU. Nairobi Kenya Meeting of members of the Ogadeni community of Ethiopia with the ONLF armed group in October Ghadames Libya First contacts between rival Libyan groups in September 2014, under the mediation of the UN Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). Kidal Mali Meeting between the Malian armed group MNLA with the special UN representative in Mali, David Gressly, in Bamako Mali Reconciliation ceremony at the Presidential Palace between different rival military factions in Mali in June Maputo Mozambique Peace agreement in August 2014 between the Government of Mozambique and RENAMO. Doha Qatar Negotiations in 2013 between the JEM-Bashar armed group from Darfur (Sudan) and the Sudanese Government. --- Central African Republic Peace agreement in January 2013, which was not honoured, between the Government of the Central African Republic and the Séléka armed group. Goma DR Congo In November 2013 a ceremony was held to destroy the arms of former combatants from the M23 armed group in DR Congo. Kitogo DR Congo In the second quarter of 2014 several rebels of the Rwandan FDLR armed group surrendered their weapons to the MONUSCO. Dakar Senegal In February 2013 the leader of the Senegalese armed group MFDC (North Front), Salif Saido, secretly met with Senegalese President Macky Sall at a meeting facilitated by the mayor of Ziguinchor, the capital of the Casamance region. --- Senegal In 2013, there was a meeting between Robert Sagna, former mayor Ziguinchor, capital of the Casamance region (Senegal), with several military leaders of the armed group MFDC (South Front). Khartoum Sudan Meeting of the presidents of Sudan and South Sudan in September 2013 to resolve the oil pipeline conflict. Khartoum Sudan Meeting of the presidents of Sudan and South Sudan in September Juba South Sudan Meeting of the presidents of Sudan and South Sudan in

4 October 2013 to discuss the status of the Abyei border region. Arusha Tanzania In August 2013 several armed groups from Darfur (Sudan) that had not signed any peace agreements met under the mediation of UNAMID to discuss the humanitarian situation and the possibility of beginning peace negotiations. Arusha Tanzania The president and former vice president of South Sudan agreed to start negotiations in October Istambul Turkey Turkey Celebration of the plenary session of the Ethiopian armed group ONLF in June Ankara Turkey In April 2013 Turkey hosted and facilitated talks between the Federal Government of Somalia and the self-declared Republic of Somaliland. Kampala Uganda Uganda Peace talks in 2013 between representatives of the Government of DR Congo and the M23 armed group. Conflicts in Latin America. --- Brazil Exploratory contacts between the Government of Colombia and the ELN in April Bogotá Colombia Celebration in 2013 and 2014 of citizens forums to discuss topics for negotiation with the Colombian guerrilla group FARC, organized by the UNDP and the National University. Habana Cuba Negotiations between the Government of Colombia and the FARC in 2013 and Imbabura Ecuador Exploratory meetings between the Government of Colombia and the ELN guerrilla group in January Otavalo Ecuador Exploratory meetings between the Government of Colombia and the ELN guerrilla group in August Conflicts in Asia Sangin (district) Afghanistan Local level meetings with the Afghan Taliban in Jeddah Saudi Arabia In June 2014 three of the four factions of the Philippine armed group MNLF met in an attempt to achieve reunification under the auspices of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Jeddah Saudi Arabia Agreement between the Philippine armed groups MILF and MNLF, under the auspices of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), to revive the Bangsamoro Coordination Forum. Jeddah Saudi Arabia Meeting between the Philippine government, the MNLF rebel group and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in November Myitkyna Burma (Kachin) In May 2013 a meeting was held in which the Burmese Government and the KIO armed group reached a sevenpoint agreement. Myitkyna Burma (Kachin) Leaders of 18 ethnic armed groups from Burma met in October 2013 to discuss the government's proposal for a ceasefire. Hpa-on Burma (Karen) In 2014 negotiations were conducted between the Government of Burma and nine armed groups from the country. Myawaddy Burma (Karen) In June 2013 representatives of the KNU met with officials from the Burmese government. Naypydaw Burma In June 2013 a delegation of the armed group SSA and the president of Burma, Thein Sein, met for the first time in the Burmese capital. Naypydaw Burma In 2013 a delegation of Burmese insurgent group leaders visited for the first time the current capital and the former one, Rangoon. Rangoon Burma In 2013 a delegation of Burmese insurgent group leaders visited for the first time the current capital and the former one, Rangoon. Rangoon Burma After meeting in 2013 with the Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, the UNFC asked to play a more active

5 role in the peace process in Burma. Rangoon Burma Meeting in June 2014 between the government-affiliated Myanmar Peace Center and the coalition of ethnic opposition groups Federal Democratic Alliance. Rangoon Burma Negotiation in May 2014 between the Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team of Burma and the country s insurgency. Rangoon Burma In September 2014 a round of negotiations was held between the Government of Myanmar, the Armed Forces and the Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team, which represents the majority of the armed groups. Rangoon Burma In November 2013 a meeting was held between the Government of Burma and the Union National Federal Council (UNFC). Ruili China Talks in February and March 2013 between the Government of Myanmar and the KIO armed group, with China as mediator or witness. Dubai United Arab Emirates In early 2014 a meeting was held between the Afghan High Peace Council and a Taliban faction. Madrid Spain Visit in May 2014 by a delegation of parliamentarians and the Philippine Government s panel in charge of negotiating with the MILF guerrillas to gain a better understanding of Spain s autonomy model. In 2012 the MILF negotiating Santiago de Compostela Spain delegation visited Barcelona. Visit in May 2014 by a delegation of parliamentarians and the Philippine Government s panel in charge of negotiating with the MILF guerrillas to gain a better understanding of Spain s autonomy model. Cotabato City Philippines In September 2014 the activities of the Committee on Transitional Justice, made up of members of the Philippine Government and the MILF guerrilla group, is launched in the Philippines. Davao Philippines Meeting of the Philippine Government with the MILF in New Delhi India Preparation, in 2014, of a new round of talks with the NSCN-IM from Nagaland. New Delhi India Conversations in June 2013 between the Indian Central Government and the ULFA PTF armed group from the region of Assam. New Delhi India In January 2013 a meeting was held between the Interior Minister of India and the NDFB (Progressive) armed group from Assam. Kolkata India In March 2014 three Indian organizations from Nagaland signed an integration agreement to foster the reconciliation of the Naga people. Kahilipara India (Assam) In 2013 talks continued between the Government of India and the leader of the Bodo group faction NDFB (RD). Imphal India (Manipur) Meetings between the Indian Interior Ministry and leaders of the armed groups from the region of Manipur, KNO and UPF. Jakarta Indonesia In February 2014 meetings were held between the Philippine Government and the MNLF armed group to finalize the negotiations. Hiroshima Japan Meeting in the second quarter of 2014 between the President of the Philippines and the leader of the MILF armed group, after a peace agreement had been reached. Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Exploratory talks between the Government of Thailand and the BRN armed group in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Negotiations between the Philippine Government and the MILF guerrilla group in 2013 and Oslo Norway Negotiations between the Philippine Government and the NPA guerrilla group in 2013 and (Afghan border) Pakistan In March 2014 the first direct contact took place between

6 the Pakistani Government and the TTP armed group from Waziristan on the border with Afghanistan. Doha Qatar In March 2013 the president of Afghanistan met with the Government of Qatar to explore the possibility of talks with the Taliban groups. London United Kingdon In February 2013 a round of talks was held between the presidents of Afghanistan and Pakistan together with the British Prime Minister. --- Sweden Meetings between the Government of Thailand and the leaders of PULO in Mae Sot Thailand Meeting in July 2014 between the Government of Burma and the UNFC. Chiang Mai Thailand In 2013 a process of political dialogue was launched with the Union National Federal Council (UNFC), an umbrella group for various armed groups in Burma, with seven meetings in 2013 and another in April Chiang Mai Thailand In November 2013 the Myanmar Peace Centre (Burma) organized a two-day meeting between eleven leaders from Burmese political parties, the UNFC coalition of armed groups, and civil society to discuss how to structure a future army that would incorporate members from the ethnic armed opposition groups. Conflicts in Europe Berlin Germany Meeting in August 2014 of the Foreign Ministers from Germany, Russia and Ukraine to agree to a ceasefire in the Ukraine. Vienna Austria Meeting in November 2013 of the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group. Vienna Austria Meetings in 2013 and 2014 between representatives of Moldova and the region of Transnistria in the format. Minsk Belarus Agreement between Ukraine and Russia in August Minsk Belarus Ceasefire Agreement in September 2014 between the Government of Ukraine and the pro-russian militias, and a subsequent agreement to create a demilitarized zone. Brussels Belgium Meeting in February 2013 of the presidents of Serbia and Kosovo. Brussels Belgium Meetings in 2013 and 2014 of the prime ministers of Serbia and Kosovo, with the facilitation of the EU. Nicosia Cyprus In February 2014 a meeting was held between the Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders, under the auspices of the UN, in the "buffer zone" between the two communities. Boisto Finland Meeting in late August 2014 of experts from the U.S. and Russia to develop a peace plan for Ukraine, with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO), Moscow. Paris France Meetings in 2013 and 2014 of the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan over the conflict of the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh. In October 2014 the two presidents met. Milan Italy Meeting in October 2014 between Russia and Ukraine to resolve the dispute over the supply of gas. Chișinău Moldova Meeting in 2014 between the Government of Moldova and the OSCE to discuss the conflict in Transnistria. Newport (Wales) United Kingdom Meeting between the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan with Secretary of State John Kerry at the start of the NATO Summit. Sochi Russian Federation Meetings between the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan in August and October 2014 following clashes by of the Armed Forces from both countries.

7 Moscow Russian Federation Meetings in 2014 of the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan to discuss the conflict of the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave. Johannesburg Cape Town South Africa Visit by the two communities in Cyprus in April 2014, sponsored by UNDP and funded by USAID to study South Africa s peace experience. Geneva Switzerland Meetings in 2013 and 2014 between representatives of Georgia, Russia and the self-proclaimed independent regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, with facilitation by the UN, the OSCE and the EU. Geneva Switzerland Conversations in April 2014 between Ukraine, Russia, the U.S. and France. Tiraspol Transnistria Meeting in September 2013 of the Prime Minister of Moldova and the leader of Transnistria (Moldova). Tiraspol Transnistria Meeting in 2014 between the OSCE representative and the negotiator for Transnistria (Moldova). Diyarbakir Turkey (Kurdistan) Visit in 2013 by the Turkish Prime Minister R.T. Erdogan to the president of the Kurdish region of Iraq, Massoud Barzani, in the Kurdish capital of Turkey. Erdogan visited the local city hall for the first time. Lviv Ukraine Meeting in February 2013 between representatives from Moldova and from the region of Transnistria (Moldova). Odessa Ukraine Meetings in May 2013 between representatives from Moldova and the region of Transnistria in the format. Kyev Ukraine Meeting in September 2014 with members of the civil society and Ukrainian political parties. Conflicts in the Middle East Berlin Germany Meetings between Israel and Palestine in August Cairo Egypt Meetings between Israel and Palestine in August Cairo Egypt Negotiations in September 2014 between the Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas. Washington United States Meeting in July 2013 between the Israeli negotiator and the lead Palestinian negotiator after a meeting with U.S. mediators. Roma Italy Meeting in 2013 of the Friends of Syria Group. Doha Qatar Meeting between the Palestinian factions of Hamas and Fatah in the first quarter of Geneva Switzerland Geneva II meeting in February 2014 to find a solution to the crisis in Syria. Vatican City The Vatican Meeting in July 2014 between the President of Israel and the President of Palestine, under the auspices of Pope Francis. Sources: Fisas, Vicenç. "2013 and 2014 Yearbooks on Peace Processes". Escola de Cultura de Pau / Icaria editorial. Barcelona, 2013 and 2014; "Barometer" March, June and September 2014, Escola de Cultura de Pau, 2014; "Conflict Observatory" (monthly), January to December 2014, Escola de Cultura de Pau; daily newspapers from October to December With the support of: