Colombia-FARC Peace Talks to End 50 Years of Conflict?
The long-standing rift between the Colombian government and the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC) might eventually see its end after the two sides requested an intervention from the UN Security Council. According to the Telegraph, the "political mission" that they wanted to establish had been greatly supported by the UN and has immediately ordered UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to make the preparations.
The secretary-general will be responsible in submitting all the important details of the peace talk including its scope, mandate and overall operational aspect. The peace talk between the FARC and the Colombian government will be assisted by the UN through "unarmed international observers."
The mandate is said to be valid for 12 months wherein observation as well as the supervision of ceasefire and cease on hostilities will be carefully monitored. Colombian President Juan Manuel said "The Security Council's decision means we are no longer going alone, but hand in hand with the UN, the entire world, towards the end of this war.
According to BBC, the peace agreement is expected to be signed by March 23, but it was as early as September last year when Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and FARC Chief Timoleon Jimenez expressed their desire to settle the agreement in six months.
The Colombia-FARC conflict is also known to be one of the longest armed conflict. Since November 2012, negotiators between the Colombian government and the FARC reached several agreements including the rebels' right to participate on political issues, transitional justice, drug trafficking and land rights.
Out of the six agreements, the issue of disarmament remains unresolved citing the time when it will also take effect once agreed.
British UN Ambassador Matthew Rycroft said, "It isn't common for a country to refer itself to the council, but it's exactly the kind of role the United Nations should be playing. I hope today will mark the start of the final stage of peace talks."
US Ambassador Amanda Power, on the other hand, believes that the integration of settled issues such as the land mine removal and the presence of guerrillas in the town should also be mandated.
On her official Twitter account, Power expressed her support to the Colombian government saying, "UNSC just passed res for UN observers to support Colombia's peace efforts, standing w/Colombians on path to peace after >50yrs of conflict."
UNSC just passed res for UN observers to support Colombia's peace efforts, standing w/Colombians on path to peace after >50yrs of conflict
— Samantha Power (@AmbassadorPower) January 25, 2016
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