Seven years after the signing of the final peace agreement, there are obstacles to overcome but also ingredients for success, the representative said as he reported to the Security Council on the progress of the mechanism from late September to December 2023.
The diplomat called for taking advantage of what has been achieved and prioritizing areas that are lagging behind, a fundamental step to meet the expectations of millions of Colombians and strengthen the legitimacy and credibility of the instrument.
The determination shown so far will bear further fruit in the next round of negotiations to be held in Cuba, including by extending and strengthening the ceasefire between the parties.
Ruiz Massieu called on all armed actors to provide tangible evidence of the genuine will to work for peace, to contribute to the reduction of violence throughout the country, to end the clashes between them and to respect the civilian population.
For his part, Colombian Foreign Minister Álvaro Leyva announced an upcoming three-day visit by Security Council members to the South American country next February.
This multi-meeting itinerary means that the security agency takes the idea of total peace very seriously, the foreign relations chief added.
The report presented to the Council calls on the Colombian authorities to step up their efforts to protect social leaders and signatories of the peace agreement.
The text prepared by the verification mission also calls for the immediate implementation of the main security guarantee mechanisms and recently adopted guidelines.
“Commitment to the success of the final agreement must under no circumstances constitute an existential threat,” he explains.
The text acknowledges Colombia's determination to consolidate peace and highlights the ongoing dialogue initiatives as mutually reinforcing processes, following on from the negotiations with the National Liberation Army and with the FARC dissidents.
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