In his last report about the Verification Mission of the UN in Colombia, the Secretary General He highlighted that, by commemorating eight years since the signing of the Final Agreement, Colombia reaches a significant milestone on its path to peace.
António Guterres welcomed that the parties took advantage of this commemoration to renew their commitments to the Peace Agreement, as well as express some of their concerns regarding the state of its implementation.
“The ambition of the Agreement is reflected in its holistic approach to achieving lasting peace by addressing the root causes of the conflict, a process that will require the continued commitment of all involved for years to come,” he said.
The report, which covers the period from September 27 to December 26, 2024, highlights the fact that the vast majority of ex-combatants remain involved in their reintegration process and committed to peace.
Thus, approximately 99% of the 11,187 ex-combatants registered with the Agency for Reincorporation and Normalization (ARN) are enrolled in the Comprehensive Reintegration Program.
Guterres reiterates his call for a ceasefire
Regarding the recent extraordinary meetings between the Government and the ELN, held in Caracas, the Secretary General stated that they constituted a positive step to promote greater dialogue and insisted on his call to reestablish the ceasefire.
“I am encouraged by the intentions expressed by both parties to move forward as quickly as possible in the coming months. I urge you to consolidate the progress made to date at the negotiating table and keep your sights set on the global goal of peace. I call on the parties to establish a new ceasefire as soon as possible, with a robust monitoring and verification mechanism and a broad enough scope to improve security of the communities affected by the conflict,” he noted.
The report highlights that cases of confrontation between the parties increased significantly compared to the year that the ceasefire lasted. Thus, the number of fatalities among members of the ELN and the Public Force went from four during the ceasefire to at least 66.
It also refers to the environmental impact, since ELN attacks against public and energy infrastructure have occurred again since the expiration of the ceasefire.
According to a report from the Investigation and Prosecution Unit of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace, the absence of attacks against oil pipelines during the ceasefire prevented the spill of at least 3.1 million barrels of crude oil into the environment.
Rural reform
The Secretary General recognized the momentum that the Comprehensive Rural Reform has had under the current administration through the strengthening of institutional coordination and the prioritization of specific areas.
However, progress remains below the goals established in the Agreement. The allocation of land stands at 5.7% of the target of three million hectares, while the formalization of land tenure has reached 43.8% of the target of seven million hectares.
Adequate funding is needed to make progress on both fronts, according to the report.
Acceleration of implementation and transitional justice
Guterres welcomed the establishment of territorial pacts on development priorities between communities and local and national authorities.
In this regard, he noted that it could be an important step to expand the presence of the State and bring the dividends of peace, including access to livelihoods, education and health to historically marginalized regions, “where persistent violence and insecurity continue.” being the biggest obstacles.”
Regarding the progress of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP), the head of the UN stated that, with four cases in the trial stage, it is increasingly urgent for the Government to take the necessary measures to be able to implement its own sanctions. .
Likewise, he reiterated to the JEP the importance of guaranteeing the legal security of people, as well as ensuring that the objectives of providing justice and contributing to the consolidation of peace are met quickly for the benefit of the victims.
Security guarantees
Regarding security guarantees for peace signatories and communities, ten murders and six attempted murders of former combatants occurred during the period.
Since the signing of the Agreement, 441 ex-combatants have been murdered (11 women, 59 indigenous, 57 Afro-Colombian), 158 have been victims of attempted homicide (17 women) and 45 have been reported missing (all of them men).
Regarding violence against social leaders, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights received 37 reports of murders (21 verified; 6 in the process of verification and 10 inconclusive). The attacks were concentrated mainly in Cauca, Arauca and Antioquia.
Despite the peace efforts underway, fighting between armed groups and between them and the Public Force continued in several regions, impacting communities.
The Mission has received reports of an increase in the recruitment of children and the use of antipersonnel mines.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported during the period the displacement of 176,609 people (20% decrease in massive displacements compared to the same period the previous year) and the confinement of 138,795 (60% increase), disproportionately affecting ethnic peoples and the region of the Peaceful.
On the other hand, the strategy to accelerate the implementation of the public policy to dismantle illegal armed groups and criminal organizations advanced with the design of plans at the local level in two pilot regions: Magdalena Medio – South of Bolívar and North of Cauca.
Women’s participation
On the other hand, the Secretary General welcomed the adoption of Colombia’s first National Action Plan on Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, of the Security Council.
“I am confident that the National Action Plan will complement the gender provisions of the Final Agreement and the ongoing peace dialogues, thereby strengthening the participation of women and the promotion of their rights,” said Guterres.
Antonio Guterres welcomed the prioritization of dialogue as a means to end violence and called on all participants in the current talks to move forward despite the setbacks.
In this context, he added that the recruitment and use of children and conflict-related sexual violence “are unacceptable and must stop without delay.”
Finally, the Secretary General reiterated his support and hope that in 2025 Colombians will move decisively on the path to peace, and reiterated that the United Nations remains committed to supporting the Government and all the actors involved in this task.
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