UN to help Colombia rebels return to society

Latin America's longest conflict had caused 250,000 deaths

UNITED NATIONS - The UN Security Council on Monday decided to establish a new mission in Colombia to focus on reintegrating rebels into society after more than 50 years of war a task the United Nations calls the most urgent challenge following the rebels' handover of their last weapons.

A British-drafted resolution establishes the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia for an initial period of one year starting on Sept 26, when the mandate of the current mission that has been monitoring the cease-fire and disarmament process ends. It asks Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to make detailed recommendations on the size, operational aspects, and mandate of the new mission within 45 days.

Guterres is confident the verification mission "will contribute to building trust and supporting the parties" during the reintegration phase, "which is critical to consolidating peace," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

Liu Jieyi, China's ambassador to the UN, also president of the Security Council for July, told reporters that the peace agreement is an important milestone in Colombia and the Security Council gives its firm support at the critical stage of implementing the final agreement.

Latin America's longest-running conflict caused at least 250,000 deaths, left 60,000 people missing and displaced more than 7 million. After years of thorny negotiations, the rebels reached an agreement with the government last year to transition into a political party, but serious differences remain over the peace deal.

In January last year, before the agreement, the Colombian government and rebels from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia known as the FARC jointly asked the UN to monitor any cease-fire and disarmament process, a rare request to the UN for help, which it accepted.

Last month, Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos again sent a letter to the council on behalf of the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia rebel group requesting a second political mission for three years, "renewable if necessary". The Security Council also visited Colombia in early May for a firsthand look at peace efforts and the UN mission.

Ten days ago, Jean Arnault, the UN special representative in Colombia, told the council the most urgent challenge is to reintegrate the 10,000 former combatants into society, a process that he said will be difficult.

Arnault said the FARC rebels have "a deep sense of uncertainty" about their physical security following their disarmament and their economic future.

Colombia's Foreign Minister Maria Angela Holguin said the peace process was developed by and for the Colombian people "so we can all have hope for a better future".

"However, it is surrounded by a dynamic debate, as happens in every strong democracy, but little by little, people are starting to notice the effects of peace and are willing to give it a chance," she told the council.

Britain's political counselor Stephen Hickey expressed delight that the Security Council responded swiftly to Santos' request for a new mission.

Hickey said the world has witnessed "an extraordinary journey in Colombia" that culminated in the end of the war. But Hickey said "experience from our own history in Northern Ireland has taught us that the hardest part remains ahead."

"A sustainable and lasting peace will depend on the FARC's successful reincorporation into civilian life," he said.

France's UN Ambassador Francois Delattre said the Colombian peace process "is a true success story" for the country but also for the UN and the Security Council.

Ap - Xinhua - Afp

(China Daily 07/12/2017 page11)