Briefing Security advice For the last time as head of the United Nations verification mission, the special representative Carlos Ruiz Massieu said that the peace agreement had provided a roadmap to approach the deep causes of the conflict.
“” The final peace agreement of 2016 stated the path to follow: a holistic and complete roadmap to tackle the deeply rooted structural problems which have led to violence in Colombia for decades“He told ambassadors.
He cited progress in agrarian reform, rural development, reintegration of more than 13,000 veterans, the beginning of a “complex journey” for truth and reconciliation and the opening of political space.
“” Today, Colombia is a country very different from what it was in the years preceding the signing of the peace agreement“, He added, noting, however, that gaps and challenges remain.
Violence persists
The main one is the limited presence of civilian and military state institutions in various regions of the country where existing dividends remain inadequate and violence persists, including against social leaders and ex-combatants.
At least 472 veterans have been killed since 2016 since the past few weeks, said Ruiz Massieu, urging measures to strengthen their protection and ensure responsibility.
“” It is also essential to achieve effective complementarity between peacebuilding policies, security strategies and efforts to combat illicit economies“, He added.
Solid moments relaunched
Mr. Ruiz Massieu underlined the progress of the opening of the political space, noting “a widespread rejection of political violence”, but warning that the attempted assassination of the presidential candidate Miguel Uribe in June relaunched painful memories and underlined the need to withdraw the violence of the electoral competition.
To combat persistent insecurity, he urged the complete implementation of security guarantees alongside rural development programs and strategies to combat illicit economies.
“The extended and sustained presence of the State remains essential,” he said, highlighting the need for coordinated investments in regions subject to conflicts.
A wide view of the Security Council meeting on the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVMC).
Upcoming elections
The briefing also occurs while Colombia enters a sensitive period leading to the elections next year.
Mr. Ruiz Massieu called on all actors to maintain commitments for a peaceful campaign and to advance the global vision of the 2016 agreement, which includes provisions for women as well as Afro-Colombian and Aboriginal communities.
“” In their quest for peace, Colombians have a deep history rooted with resilience and persistence, “he said. Sometimes their efforts did not give the expected results, but other times, thanks to patience and perseverance, they have achieved significant progress.“”
The way to peace is never easy
“” The path to peace is never easy or without obstacles. But staying the course is always worth it“, He concluded.”The 2016 peace agreement is a striking example. »»
Mr. Ruiz Massieu, who has managed the mission for more than six years, will soon assume the functions of special representative of the UN Secretary General in Haiti.
He thanked the Council for his “coherent and crucial” support, adding that the role of the United Nations mission in Fostering Trust “will remain as important as ever in the coming period”.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
