Publication

The report draws lessons-learned for the UN and others from the first generation of transition compacts in support of post-conflict peacebuilding, focusing on case studies from Afghanistan, the DRC, Iraq, Liberia, and Timor-Leste. It finds that transition compacts can be effective but their effectiveness has been mixed. In order to improve their effectiveness the report makes the following recommendations among others: 1) Compacts should be considered only when a peace accord is agreed upon and where basic security is in place; 2) Civil society should be given the opportunity to participate in both compact creation and implementation; 3) Compact commitments should be specific, balanced, and focused on short timelines; 4) Compacts should reinforce and coordinate with ongoing international and national processes; and 5) Compacts should include specific mechanisms for implementation, oversight, and enforcement, with host governments in the lead.