Engaging armed groups

Talking with armed groups is often an essential part of ending violent conflict. We engage with armed groups to build peace and provide guidance for doing so to others.

Engagement with armed groups is often an essential part of ending violent conflict and saving lives. However, there is generally a widespread reluctance to do so. We provide guidance on the options and tactics for engaging with armed groups in peace processes.

    Democratic Republic of the Congo Armed Forces personnel and the Front for National Integration militia
    Our response

    We communicate with armed groups or former armed groups in various countries to bring about peace, and use our practical experience and research to highlight the importance of doing so. We highlight and seek solutions to the impact of legal and political obstacles to engagement. We provide essential guidance on the options and challenges for engaging with armed groups.

    Our work in action

    We work with armed groups at different stages of peace processes, helping their move away from violence. And we seek to change attitudes and influence policies which prevent engagement.