A humanitarian pause is defined as “a temporary cessation of hostilities purely for humanitarian purposes”.[1] Meanwhile, a ceasefire is a political process urging parties to completely stop fighting and come together to pursue a political solution to the conflict. A humanitarian pause is temporary, while a ceasefire may be temporary or permanent. A humanitarian pause may mean violence still occurs in other areas but a ceasefire means a complete halt to fighting.
A humanitarian pause may be more dangerous and harmful to civilians as there are often uncertainties regarding safe zones, timings, etc. This can be problematic particularly in the context of moving people to safety or getting aid from one point to another. Whereas, a ceasefire often involves politically negotiated guidelines that clearly define parameters, including setting up of mechanism for its enforcement.
Moreover, a ceasefire, as a political process, often signals the start of or can lead to political negotiations as opposed to pursuing military solution to an armed conflict.
Therefore, that a party or groups is in favor/against one or the other speaks about their own interests or motives in ongoing armed conflict.
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[1] UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Boggs Tanggol
University Professor
Peace Advocate
Source: Ceasefire and Pause
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