Guyana, Switzerland and the United Kingdom reported this Thursday in the Security Council about the organ's visit to Colombia, which took place from February 7 to 11. This is his third visit since the signing of the Peace Accords in 2016.
The representative of Guyana expressed her deep gratitude to the Government and people of Colombia for their hospitality, as well as to the Verification Mission and the United Nations team in the country.
Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett explained that the Council carried out the visit at the request of the national Government and with the objective of demonstrating its full commitment to the application of the 2016 Peace Agreements.
During the visit, the members of the highest body for international peace and security had the opportunity to meet with national interlocutors, including the president, Gustavo Petro. In addition, they spoke with signatories and other key representatives for the implementation of the agreements and different civil society organizations, including women's and youth organizations.
“The United Nations country team provided an overview of the efforts being made to support local authorities,” said Rodrigues-Birkett.
Main challenges
In the meeting with the president, the authorities reported on the challenges they have encountered in implementing the agreements, despite the existing political will. In this context, the president expressed his concern for the ex-combatants who have been killed.
Historical divisions as well as the equitable distribution of resources were also highlighted as important themes.
The ambassador noted that, in a meeting with some members of the Senate, the progress made since the signing of the agreement was praised, but concern continues about the pace of implementation. Other issues raised were the need for more justice and redress.
On the other hand, civil society representatives highlighted the need for a more robust State presence, the need to accelerate the implementation of the rural and ethnic chapters of the peace agreement, the importance of dialogue with victims and the existence of challenges linked to insecurity, drug trafficking and the lack of educational and economic opportunities for youth.
During a visit to Buenaventura, the ambassadors met with Colombian and Afro-Colombian leaders who called for more coordination between local and national entities. They talked about historical racism, the destruction of natural resources in their territories and asked for greater inclusion of women in decision-making, Rodrigues-Birkett highlighted.
Six key messages
The ambassador assured that after the visit they gathered six fundamental messages:
- There is a broad commitment to the implementation of the peace agreement
- Faster implementation is needed, especially in relation to the ethnic chapter and rural reform
- The issue of access to and ownership of land needs to be addressed.
- There is a lack of state presence in rural areas
- The continued support of the Security Council is critical and the Verification Mission is essential
- Drug trafficking has an impact that Colombia cannot face alone and there must be international coordination
National transformation
Next, the United Kingdom ambassador highlighted that five years ago the Security Council was not able to meet with a leader in Buenaventura [Francia Márquez] out of fear for his safety. However, this time, that same leader, as vice president of the country, accompanied them to her region.
“I think this shows the degree of transformation that is taking place in Colombia”, Barbara Woodward said.
The ambassador asserted that “peace is not an abstract concept, it is a real social cause that involves an effort on the part of the entire society.”
Peace is possible
The representative of Switzerland highlighted the impressive resilience of the Colombian population, while pointing out the enormous challenges that persist for the implementation of total peace: Better distribution of land, greater social justice and greater protection against violence.
Pascale Christine Baeriswyl referred to the ambassadors' visit to Agua Bonita in Caquetá, where they spoke with representatives of the former territorial training and reintegration zone, highlighting the importance of the reconciliation process for the transition to civilian life.
The Council also visited community projects, such as Let's humanizethe world's first humanitarian demining organization led by ex-combatants, and met with women's organizations, whose representatives stressed that there can be no lasting peace without the effective participation of women at the negotiating table.
Finally, Baeriswyl urged the Council to expand the mandate of the Verification Mission, ensuring that it is important to understand the complexity of peace, but also that it is possible.
“Peace must be achieved in the territory, but we have the great responsibility, as members of the Council, to support all efforts in this direction. And we can only do it if we continue speaking with one voice,” he concluded.
