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In a tense environment and under a hot sun, the Colombian Government and the Central General Staff (EMC), the main dissident of the former FARCsigned in the municipality of Tibu a three-month bilateral ceasefire and began the dialogue table with which the country intends to take steps towards “total peace”.
The event took place at El Barquito Club of this municipality in the turbulent region of Catatumboa sign that the parties’ objective is to try to benefit the communities most affected by the armed conflict.
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At the ceremony, which was attended by three ministers, representatives of civil society and members of the international community, the decree was signed that formalizes the ceasefire, which will be in force between October 17th and January 15th, 2024 and which is likely to be extended.
The High Commissioner for Peace, Danilo Ruedaguaranteed that the Government and the EMCled by the pseudonym “Ivan Mordisco”, they are moving firmly and confidently towards peace. The other big dissent is Second Marquetáliawhich does not maintain negotiations with the Government.
“Eight days ago we announced here, in this very city, the beginning of the end of the war and today we sign before you, as representatives of the people, the Catholic Church, the churches and the international community, some concrete, precise and specific agreements that have never been signed in the development of any peace process, a special agreement for the protection of the civilian population and a ceasefire”, he indicated.
Rueda added that they have little time, three months, to test themselves to make this peacebuilding credible.
“We value the will of the Central General Staff in the proposal to construct this special agreement for the protection of civilians and the three-month ceasefire that will promote freedom of expression and association, inclusive dialogue, without exception, with all inhabitants of the territories” he added.
The official insisted that the protocols signed are unprecedented and were never built in the peace processes that have been carried out in the country.
“We certify to the Government delegation the willingness of the Central General Staff of FARC to build them (the protocols) seriously. Apply today IHL (International human law) will open the possibility of territorial transformations,” said Rueda.
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Expectations of dissidents
EMC spokesperson, Andrey Avendañoarrived at the event on time and assured in a calm and serene manner that the delegation is making every effort to advance the installation of the table and address humanitarian issues in the regions affected by the armed conflict.
Avendaño, who joined the former FARC at age 12, introduced the EMC negotiating team, whose members were delegates from “organization dialogue with the Government delegation and seek timely and viable solutions for the entire Colombian society”.
Negotiating peace, he added, is “one of the bets”that that group always had:“We have to find solutions to problems by talking.”.
“I think the most important thing to resolve any conflict is to sit down and talk, to put our differences on the table and then try together to find a solution to these problems.”Added Avendaño.
After the event was delayed for three hours while the ceasefire decree was endorsed by the Colombian president, Gustavo Pedrothe document was signed by negotiators with the aim of stopping military operations and respecting civilian lives.
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Social transformations
“We are sure that with the achievements of this period we will be able to make the year 2024 a leap forward in the construction of peace and the search for a definitive solution (to the armed conflict).“, assured the coordinator of the Government delegation, Camilo González I can.
“It’s not just about silencing the guns, it’s about implementing effective transformations that make peace credible as social justice, environmental justice and democracy in these times.” he added.
With what was signed today, González stressed, Colombia continues to take steps towards the ambitious policy of “total peace”of the Petro Government, which intends to negotiate peace or submission with the largest armed groups whose violence affects thousands of people from all corners of the country.
Source: Elcomercio
I am Jack Morton and I work in 24 News Recorder. I mostly cover world news and I have also authored 24 news recorder. I find this work highly interesting and it allows me to keep up with current events happening around the world.
