The 2016 agreement between national authorities and the armed group FARC-EP effectively ended more than five decades of conflict, but violence continues.
Hundreds of signatories killed
UN Special Representative Carlos Ruiz Massieu told ambassadors that “Uncertainty is clearly the biggest obstacle to reintegration and the success of the peace agreement”.
According to him, 421 signatories have been killed since the signing.
“In light of this, I cannot help but reiterate the Secretary-General’s call to all those involved in the conflict to respect the lives, well-being and freedoms of the communities and of those who have chosen to follow the path of peace,” he said.
Challenges to stability
The UN envoy recalled the courage shown by thousands of former combatants who laid down their arms, and the important work the government is doing to support former combatants and their families.
“The challenge remains, however, to ensure the sustainability of the reintegration process in the long term, providing adequate housing, access to land, security and combating stigmatization against them,” he said.
The peace accord includes provisions for rural reforms, but until recently progress has stalled.
He praised the government’s efforts to prioritize this issue, as evidenced by budget expansion and land acquisition. He also said that more momentum is needed to achieve the three million hectare target set under the agreement.
He also called for continued attention to ethnic issues, another area of the agreement where implementation has lagged.
‘Complex conflict dynamics’
Mr Ruiz Massieu noted that after the signing of the agreement, there was only a brief lull in violence in the areas, allowing other armed groups to gradually expand, which continues to this day.
“As a result, there are now complex conflict dynamics in different zones and these are affecting the daily lives of communities, particularly indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities,” he said.
The slow implementation of all security guarantee measures enshrined in the agreement also contributed to the ongoing violence, he added.
Security guarantees, greater state presence
The senior UN official said the complexity of the violent dynamics facing Colombia requires a multifaceted approach.
“The communities need the implementation of the security guarantees set out in the agreement, against a backdrop of increased state presence, in addition to measures to reduce violence agreed in the context of the various dialogue initiatives currently underway between the government and other groups,” he said.
Taking these efforts simultaneously is necessary and strategic to move toward peace, and He underlined the role of the UN in promoting the development of such efforts.
Support for dialogue
The UN has also responded to calls to support ongoing dialogue initiatives, he added, including between the government and the ELN, the largest remaining rebel group.
“Given the current crisis, I encourage the parties to meet the expectations of Colombian society and overcome the current paralysis “On the table,” he said.
Mr Ruiz Massieu told ambassadors that territorial development measures were being taken in some regions of the country, following talks between the government and various elements of another armed group, the EMC, created by former FARC members who rejected the peace agreement.
“At the same time, these discussions also face significant challenges due to the fragmentation of the group and an upsurge in violence in other regions,” he said.
He also welcomed the start of peace talks last month in Venezuela between the government and the Segunda Marqueta, a group made up of FARC dissidents.
“I call on the parties to lay a solid foundation so that the process contributes to breaking the cycle of violence, which particularly affects civilians, and leads to peace in Colombia,” he said.
Trust in the government
Colombian President Gustavo Petro also attended the Council meeting, and Mr Ruiz Massieu recognised his commitment to consolidating peace.
“Colombia’s efforts to achieve peace have been manifold and have yielded promising results, but significant challenges remain,” he said, stressing the urgency of implementing the peace agreement.
“I am confident that the government led by President Petro will make a concerted effort with all state organs to achieve its far-reaching goals.”
