Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia, Carlos Ruiz Massieu, highlighted the clear linkages between the implementation of the Final Peace Agreement and dialogue initiatives with other armed actors.

New York, 11 January 2024. At the presentation of the latest report of the UN Secretary-General on Colombia, covering the period from 27 September to 26 December 2023, Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia, noted that “the year that just passed showed the clear linkages between the implementation of the Agreement and the dialogue initiatives with other armed actors undertaken by the Government”, and added that, “recent developments also illustrate the need to move forward coherently in these processes, which, if conceived holistically, have the potential to address persistent challenges and to broaden the scope of peace”. The SRSG stressed that, despite the obstacles, the peace process in Colombia has ingredients that can serve as an example for other peace processes around the world.

With regards to the Final Peace Agreement, the SRSG stated that building on progress made and prioritizing areas lagging behind will be fundamental to meet the expectations of millions of Colombian men and women, and to strengthen the legitimacy and credibility of the Agreement.  The SRSG stressed that 2024 must be a year for materialising commitments and for implementation. In this vein, the Head of Mission welcomed the pact for the implementation of the Ethnic Chapter, which, together with “the priorities set by the Office of the Vice-President in this regard should serve as a guide to move forward in this transformative component of the Agreement during 2024”. The SRSG also underlined the notable increase in land acquisition and formalization, and expressed confidence that the National Agrarian Reform System will contribute to deepening these results. The SRSG also highlighted the work of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (SJP) which is approaching the issuance of its first restorative sentences, and recalled the importance of promoting coordination between the SJP and State institutions to establish the conditions for their implementation.

Mr. Ruiz Massieu expressed his encouragement for the continued commitment to peace of the vast majority of former FARC-EP members despite challenges and regretted that, since the report’s cut-off date, four former combatants have been killed, and that crimes against social leaders, including indigenous and land claimants, have continued: “I would like to condemn before this Security Council, once again, and in the strongest possible terms, these unjustifiable attacks, which also erode the social fabric of entire communities”.

The Special Representative said that the situation in areas of departments such as Cauca, characterized by the significant presence of Indigenous and Afro-Colombian peoples, is particularly challenging due to the presence and actions of various armed actors. The SRSG affirmed that “it is precisely in areas such as these where an integrated deployment of the State is most urgently needed to curb and contain the violence”.

On the other hand, the Special Representative highlighted that there are regions where even in the midst of difficulties, there is evidence that reversing violence is possible: according to figures from the National Police, homicides reduced by 16 per cent from January to October 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, in municipalities where development programmes with a territorial focus (PDET) are implemented. “For these and other encouraging results not to be merely circumstantial and instead be sustainable, progress without delay in the effective implementation of key public policies for prevention and protection is essential. Such efforts, carried out in parallel and in complement to the deescalation sought through the dialogues with different armed groups, offer a perspective of relief for the civilian population”.

The Special Representative echoed the Secretary-General’s call to all armed actors to show concrete signs of their genuine will for peace, contributing to the deescalation of violence throughout the country by putting an end to confrontations among them and by respecting the civilian population.

Mr. Ruiz Massieu highlighted progress in the talks between the Government and the National Liberation Army (ELN), welcomed the agreements reached in the last cycle in Mexico and the progress in the implementation of previous agreements, including the bilateral ceasefire and the work of the National Participation Committee. In that vein, the SRSG encouraged the parties to persevere in resolving their differences through dialogue, despite challenges. “I trust that the will demonstrated so far will lead to new results during the next round of negotiations, to be held in Cuba, including the extension and strengthening of the ceasefire between the parties”.

The Special Representative also welcomed progress in the talks between the Government and the group self-identifying as EMC FARC-EP: “the implementation of the ongoing bilateral ceasefire has brought about a level of trust necessary for the process to continue”, said Mr. Ruiz Massieu, and encouraged the parties to maintain their efforts towards its consolidation.

The SRSG concluded by stating that “in order for the aforementioned progress to consolidate in a lasting manner, it is necessary to deepen the implementation of the Agreement and to continue advancing in the dialogue initiatives with other armed actors. Continuing to work on both tasks, aware that they are mutually reinforcing, can generate a virtuous circle that allows to take advantage of opportunities and mitigate risks”.

Finally, the Special Representative highlighted the Security Council’s voice of encouragement and active participation, and said that its expected visit to Colombia will be another milestone in this history of commitment to peace.

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