The civil war that has been tearing Syria apart has raged for more than five years now. It has cost the lives of some two million people and has forced more than 11 million Syrians to leave their homes. Peace talks have been tried at intervals by the United Nations, Arab League, Western powers and Russia since 2012, yet without success. Meanwhile, external military involvement has increased in the region during the past few years. The refugee crisis and the terror threat imposed by Daesh make it clear that a prompt solution is needed tackling the root cause in order to put an end to the humanitarian and political chaos in Syria. Nonetheless, it is also widely agreed that military action alone is unlikely to result in a comprehensive settlement.
After the failures of initial diplomatic attempts to reach a resolution, world leaders eventually convened under the auspices of the UN peace convoy to Syria at the 2014 Geneva II international conference. The talks were aimed at engaging all legitimate Syrian parties. The implementation of the so-called Geneva Communiqué emphasizing the establishment of stability, holding elections, forming a transitional government and reaching common grounds was the focal point of these peace negotiation. Yet the parties remained divided; no consensus or clear agenda were agreed upon by the attendant parties.
In 2015, Vienna hosted another round of talks on the Syrian peace process, this time more multi-lateral in nature. Foreign ministers of twenty nations – including major powers of the Trans-Atlantic community and the Arab Peninsula, Egypt, Jordan, China and Russia – as well as international organisations, such as the Arab League, United Nations and the European Union participated in the International Syria Support Group. Tangible progress was made and a timeline for the peace plan was set up. The initiative aimed to achieve a political solution for the country and comprised points on bringing together the Syrian government and opposition in formal negotiations; upholding cease-fires; drafting a new constitution; and holding free and fair elections. Subsequently, in December 2015, the main points agreed upon at the conference – coined the ‘Vienna Statements’ – were endorsed by the UN Security Council.
Many see the ongoing UN-brokered peace talks in Geneva as a “moment of truth” for Syria since they resumed earlier this month. Besides maintaining the cessation of hostilities and ceasefire through military means, the need for inclusive and constructive dialogue has been acknowledged in order to deescalate the conflict. Early stages of the so-called proximity talks have been completed, and are acknowledged by the opposing domestic sides as well as alliance members. Even though a long and challenging road still awaits the negotiators, the Syrian peace process has made one thing clear; military involvement might be necessary, but it is not enough. Understanding different stances and reaching consensus through diplomatic means is crucial for pursuing sustainable stability in Syria.
Photography UN npr.org
