Phase 4
Agreement implementation
Phase description
The peace agreement is signed and is ready for implementation. This often requires the creation of dedicated technical bodies, such as political reform commissions, or truth and reconciliation commissions. The implementation may involve wide-ranging political reform processes as well as the creation of new government entities and oversight bodies. Delays and setbacks in the implementation process are common, as parts of the agreement may be contested and require renegotiation. The process may also struggle due to defections or boycotts by hardliner groups. Signing the peace agreement may not in itself guarantee peace. Negotiations may lead to a bargaining deal that satisfies the leaders of the insurgent movement, but leaves the deeper causes of the conflict unresolved. Securing the buy-in of the majority population, building public support, and civil society oversight is critical to the success of this phase. Continued trust-building measures and, if necessary, the clarification or renegotiation of parts of the agreement may be required.
Explore the following 1 use case(s) of digital technology:
Use Case 1
Rapid polling: public opinion on an agreement
A polling system used to understand shifting public opinion after an agreement is signed. The results of this poll can help to know where obstacles may lie in the implementation process and to identify areas where continued mediation support may be needed. The polling exercise could be repeated regularly in the course of the implementation process. The polling could take place through dedicated polling apps, online forms, text messaging applications, or SMS systems. The information would be collected, classified, analyzed, and conclusions shared with mediators. The data could also be shared back to the polling participants and distributed among a broader set of organizations involved in the peace process.
Important context factors
There needs to be some pre-existing public acceptance of the process for people to agree to contribute to a poll, and political will from negotiators to incorporate this data into the selection of representatives. The credibility of the organisation conducting the polling will be critical to its success.
Risks and possible unintended consequences
- The polling system may be hacked to reveal how certain individuals or groups are voting
- People may become disillusioned with the process if they feel poll results are not transparently included in the choice of representatives
- The analysis may be biased, depending on the sampling methodology used
- High levels of reporting on certain indicators may distort representativeness
- The questions themselves may erode support for the agreement by sharing its content, if not carefully framed
Strategic purpose of digital inclusion
Functions of digital Technology
Outputs of digital Technology
Technologies used
Online forms, polling apps, messaging services, SMS systems
Proceed to another phase
Phase 4