Colombia: the peace process merits cautious optimism
With the FARC now a political party, the ELN declaring a ceasefire and paramilitary group AGC asking to join the peace process, there are grounds for hope.
As peace activists, we have become too accustomed to share bad news. However, on this occasion I’m glad to be able to say that, while there are still many challenges, we are on the right path towards building peace in Colombia.
The oldest insurgent group in the Americas, FARC-EP (the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia- the People’s Army), no longer exists. The group handed over their weapons and on 1 September formed a political party, the FARC (the Revolutionary Common Alternative Force). There was much internal discussion on whether or not to keep the group’s old acronym. Some people inside the FARC-EP wanted a new name to shift the negative image they have amongst the vast majority of the population, particularly in urban areas, and thus attract more votes during elections. However, the group ultimately decided for its acronym to remain, in order to preserve the identity of its members. As a political party, the FARC are now fighting for their ideas, not with weapons, but through the democratic process.
Video posted on YouTube by El Espectador, explaining FARC’s new logo and how logo and name were chosen by party members.
The ceasefire: further progress
Another reason to be cheerful is that as of 1 October there will be a ceasefire between another armed group, the ELN (National Liberation Army) and Colombia’s armed forces. The news was revealed just before the Pope’s visit to Colombia recently. Hostilities will cease initially for 3 months, but the plan is for it to be extended while exploratory peace talks progress between the ELN and the Government. The organisations that we work with in Colombia have been calling for the cessation of hostilities for a long time.
Areas of Colombia where ELN is active. Source: AFP
Since the end of hostilities by the FARC-EP and the withdrawal of its fighters from their extensive areas of control, the ELN guerrilla and paramilitaries have started to occupy these territories, causing many deaths and displacement of civilians.
Armed struggle is no longer politically viable in Latin America
Our reading is that the FARC-EP and now ELN have recognized that armed struggle is no longer politically viable in Latin America since the vast majority of the population strongly opposes it. We believe that another key factor for the ELN is that they know that they could be defeated militarily as the army is now focused on combatting them.
Paramilitarism: one of the largest challenges
The main group of paramilitaries, the Clan of the Gulf (also known as Autodefensas Gaitanistas de Colombia or Clan Usuga) should feel the same military and political pressure. Recently, the second in command alias Gavilan, was killed, and a few days the top leader, alias Otoniel, announced through a Youtube video, from the jungle, his wish to surrender. This is positive not only becomes it paves the way for dismantling another armed group, but also helps to unveil the truth about their financiers and their links to the security forces. It could spell the end of paramilitary activity in Colombia.
Otoniel, Comandante of the Autodefensas Gaitanistas de Colombia (AGC), announcing in an ‘open letter to Colombians’ his organisation’s wish to join the peace process and suspend all ‘illegal’ activity.
These recent events call for much optimism, but one must not be naive and realise the enormous challenge of building peace in Colombia.
There are people linked to the paramilitaries who are benefiting from the conflict and who have an interest in continuing to hide their crimes and pursue their economic interests through violent means. They have huge economic and political power and will try to obstruct the peace process. In fact, they are now working to weaken the legal framework for the implementation of the peace agreements with the FARC-EP.
Fortunately, those in favour of peace are gaining strength, and although the peace process is not going to be perfect, we believe that the balance to be positive overall.
Thomas Mortensen: is Christian Aid’s Colombia Country Manager. He has been with Christian Aid since 2011 and previously worked with the United Nations in India and Nicaragua. He has a Master´s Degree in Development and Economics and post degrees on human rights and international humanitarian law.
This article is funded by readers like you
Only with regular support can we maintain our website, publish LAB books and support campaigns for social justice across Latin America. You can help by becoming a LAB Subscriber or a Friend of LAB. Or you can make a one-off donation. Click the link below to learn about the details.
Christian Aid is an international organisation that works globally to tackle the root causes of poverty and together with our partners we provide urgent, practical and effective assistance to communities where the need is greatest. Christian Aid strives to achieve equality, dignity and freedom for all, regardless of faith or nationality. See our list of programmes.
