Bogota, October 6, 2017. The UN Verification Mission in Colombia is ready to undertake its verification tasks relating to the Temporary, Bilateral, and National Ceasefire (TBNC) between the Government of Colombia State and the National Liberation Army (ELN).

"The Security Council authorized us to initiate today the ceasefire verification tasks requested by the Colombian Government and the ELN. This mandate includes the coordination of the Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (MVM) comprised of representatives of Government security forces, representatives of the ELN, the Catholic Church and UN, "said Jean Arnault, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General and Head of the Verification Mission.

In addition, the Verification Mission has established procedures to monitor armaments in ELN military units and structures, facilitating the timely response of the parties to incidents, and reporting on the results of this verification to the parties and the public.

Arnault said that the Mission already has verification teams present in 13 of the 33 areas designated by the two parties. The 33 teams of the Mission, made up of one civilian member and two international observers, are ready to monitor the commitments.

"This is a process that has raised expectations in the communities affected by the conflict and it seems very important that these expectations related to improvement in the humanitarian situation are met and this Mission will do everything possible to this end," said Arnault.

In addition, Mr. Arnault expressed his appreciation, in particular, for the participation and accompaniment of the Catholic Church in the verification process. "Our colleagues will do everything possible to verify this process but the legitimacy, knowledge, familiarity and respect that the Catholic Church enjoys in these areas will be a key dimension of our verification."

On the other hand, Jean Arnault commented on the importance of the process of productive socio-economic initiatives (“Reincorporación Productiva”) of the former members of the FARC-EP, noting its fundamental role in the consolidation of the peace. "In the report, we sent to the Secretary-General of the United Nations a week ago, we emphasized the need for productive reintegration to become the cornerstone of this reincorporation."

"Arnault welcomed the fact that President Santos had recently stressed to his Cabinet of the Ministry of Post-Conflict the importance of productive reincorporation initiatives by former members of the FARC.

"I would like to emphasize the importance of the installation of the Territorial Councils for Reintegration (CTR) and the active engagement of local and departmental authorities. In addition, I would especially like to acknowledge the readiness of universities, Mayors, Governors, Chambers of Commerce and all businesspersons who have taken the decision to collaborate with this process which is so fundamental for the consolidation of peace, namely, a successful reintegration of former combatants of the FARC. "

Finally, Mr. Jean Arnault deeply lamented the events that took place yesterday in Tumaco, Nariño. "Illegal economies represent a challenge for the consolidation of peace in Colombia and the tragic events of yesterday reinforce our conviction about the need to encourage, by all possible means, that peasants in the regions affected by coca cultivation can escape from this deadly dilemma, as seen yesterday, between extreme poverty and illegality, "said Arnault.

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