Negotiating with criminal armed groups

This contribution develops an argument about integrating negotiations with criminal armed groups (CAGs) into the violence reduction toolbox. Analysing when and how to negotiate with such groups, the chapter builds on the recognition that armed violence is a major threat to many different societies and finding solutions for it requires recourse to the full range of policy options, including negotiation strategies with CAGs and building the technical skills to conduct such negotiations. Van den Eertwegh argues for innovative and inclusive forms of citizen participation to strengthen the democratic foundations of negotiations with CAGs and thus create sustainable negotiation outcomes in – and with – empowered communities.