Abstract
This research was guided by the question: why and under what conditions do peace negotiations lead to rebel fragmentation? The research question was examined by treating the defection of the Karuna Group from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) during the Norway-facilitated peace process as a case study. The objective of the research was to explore the reasons why rebel organizations disintegrate during peace negotiations. The fact that this issue has not been explored adequately despite its significance for peace and conflict resolution in divided societies justified the investigation. Primary and secondary data formed the basis of the analysis. The disagreement between LTTE leader Prabhakaran and Karuna was the immediate cause of the split. There also were supporting factors that boosted the disagreement. Karuna’s fear that the LTTE might assassinate him, the differences between the Northern and Eastern Tamils, and the external support that both enhanced and consolidated the disagreement. Peace negotiations in civil wars could unintentionally break rebel organizations by igniting negotiation disagreements, and these disagreements could stem from personal, structural, and external stimuli.
Presenters
Soosaipillai I. KeethaponcalanProfessor, Conflict Resolution Department, Salisbury University, Maryland, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Civic, Political, and Community Studies
KEYWORDS
Civil War, Peace Studies, Politics, Sri Lanka, Asian Studies
