A landmark truce agreed between the Colombian government and the National Liberation Army (ELN), the largest remaining rebel group in the country, has entered into effect on Thursday. The United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia will monitor and verify the implementation of the bilateral ceasefire agreement between the Government and the ELN rebel group. On Thursday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres congratulated both sides “as they embark on a new phase in their peace process.”
The six-month truce between the authorities and the largest remaining rebel group in the country follows ten months of negotiations and marks a big step in the ongoing peace process. The ceasefire is designed to help improve the humanitarian situation in conflict-affected areas.
Amid Colombia’s ongoing efforts to establish peace with several domestic nonstate armed groups (NSAGs), the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Wednesday expanded the mandate of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVIC) to monitor and verify the implementation of the ceasefire between the Government and the ELN.
UNVIC was established following the signing of the 2016 Peace Agreement between the Colombian Government and the FARC rebel group, which ended more than 50 years of civil war. Through the unanimous adoption of resolution 2694 (2023), the Council authorized the addition of up to 68 international observers to the Mission, as well as “an appropriate civilian component taking into account existing resources where possible”.
The Security Council also expressed its willingness to consider mandating the UN Mission to monitor and verify the implementation of a ceasefire between the Government and the nonstate armed group Estado Mayor Central (EMC) upon confirmation that such agreement has been reached.
In addition, the UNSC welcomed the Secretary-General's proposals to keep the 15-member body informed of the situation on the ground, including how the ceasefire is helping to improve the humanitarian situation in conflict-affected areas.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, in a statement issued Thursday by his spokesman, congratulated the Government of Colombia and the National Liberation Army (ELN) “as they embark on a new phase in their peace process, with the entry into force today of their bilateral ceasefire agreement and the launch of the National Participation Committee.”
Noting that the UN Verification Mission is ready to do its part in the monitoring and verification of the ceasefire, the statement said:
“By adhering to the ceasefire in good faith and with a clear commitment to alleviating the suffering of civilians, the parties can significantly reduce violence while enhancing trust at the peace table.”
Guterres said that the United Nations also stands ready to support the critically important work of the National Participation Committee in facilitating the inclusive participation of Colombian society in the peace process.
While Colombia’s persistent efforts to expand peace through dialogue are advancing, the Secretary-General called on the international community to continue to assist these initiatives, both politically and through support for the implementation of agreements.
More than six years after a peace accord between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) was signed, the humanitarian situation in Colombia is still marked by large scale internal displacement and insecurity due to armed violence. The country has endured half a century of intense armed conflict, perpetuated by widespread illegal drug production and trafficking and rooted in territorial control by armed groups.
Armed groups, including the ELN, dissidents of the FARC, paramilitary successor groups and drug-trafficking gangs continue to operate in the country. Civilians in various parts of Colombia suffer serious human rights abuses at the hands of those armed groups. In the shadow of the FARC and the Colombian government peace accord, other irregular armed groups increased their actions, particularly in rural areas.
As of December 2022, there were 4.8 million internally displaced persons. More than 142,000 Colombian refugees and some 68,000 asylum seekers are hosted in third countries. Nearly 110,000 people have been displaced or confined by the armed conflict in 2021 alone. In 2022, high levels of violence worsened the humanitarian crisis in some regions. At least 339,000 people were uprooted by large scale displacement or confined in their communities by violence involving illegal armed groups.
Colombia is the country most impacted by the Venezuela crisis, hosting some 2.5 million of the 6.8 million Venezuelans who have sought refuge outside their country. According to the United Nations, 7.7 million people in Colombia will need humanitarian assistance in 2023; among them are 2.4 million children.
Since taking office in August 2022, new Colombian President Gustavo Francisco Petro Urrego has made great efforts to promote peace in the country. During his term, the Colombian government and the National Liberation Army (ELN), the country's largest remaining guerrilla group, officially launched new peace talks.
The first round of dialogue was held in November 2022 in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas. On June 9, 2023, the Colombian government and the ELN agreed to a six-month ceasefire during talks in Cuba. The ceasefire - fully implemented on August 3 - will be in effect for six months. The developments renew hope for comprehensive peace in Colombia.
Further information
Full text: United Nations Security Council, Resolution S/RES/2694 (2023), adopted by the Security Council on August 2, 2023
https://colombia.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/230802_colombia_mandate_expansion_adopted_res._e.pdf
Full text: Secretary-General Congratulates Government of Colombia, National Liberation Army on Bilateral Ceasefire Accord’s Entry into Force, Stressing Need for Good Faith, statement issued by the Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, August 3, 2023
https://press.un.org/en/2023/sgsm21897.doc.htm