Data tracks conflict ceasefires in context of COVID-19

An online digital tracking tool was launched on 8 July to examine the consequences of the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak on peace processes and armed conflict across the world.  

Researchers assessed the progress of ceasefire agreements alongside live data on infection rates.

UN Security Council Resolution 2532, passed on 1 July, called for a global ceasefire to enable the delivery of humanitarian assistance during COVID-19. 

The digital tool was developed by the University of Edinburgh’s Political Settlements Research Programme; the European Forum for international Mediation; the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO); Swiss research institute ETH Zurich; Conciliation Resources; and the United States Institute of Peace. The UN also added input via its Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs.

While there was an initial surge in ceasefire announcements, the tempo has slowed recently and in some cases hostilities resumed. For example, fighting in Yemen has continued, and the conflict in Libya has accelerated. 

‘Ceasefires in civil war is a greatly under-researched area,’ said PRIO Director Henrik Urdal. ‘The Covid-19 Ceasefires Tracker allows us to identify and explore mechanisms related to humanitarian ceasefires, and to better understand the dynamic between belligerents.’

As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.