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Roundup: UN Security Council lends int'l support to Colombia peace process

Xinhua, January 26, 2016 Adjust font size:

The UN Security Council agreed unanimously Monday to lend international support to Colombia as it enters the final stages of its transition to peace after five decades of conflict.

Addressing the 15-member council, Colombia's Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Angela Holguin Cuellar expressed her country's gratitude for the practical and moral support the international community has offered for Colombia's transition to peace.

"I would like to convey to the members of the (Security) Council that their willingness to work with Colombia on this matter is essential for the success of the (peace) process," said Cuellar.

Cuellar spoke after the council adopted resolution 2261, committing to establish a political mission of unarmed international observers to monitor and verify the ceasefire and laying down of arms in Colombia for 12-months. The mission will begin its work after Colombia's government and the Forces of Colombia (FARC) sign the final peace agreement, which they have already agreed to do by no later than Mar. 23.

Cuellar acknowledged the importance of international support for the peace process, including the role of the guarantors and accompanying countries of the peace agreement: Cuba, Norway, Chile and Venezuela.

"Colombia will always have a deep gratitude to (the guarantors), as well as the greatest appreciation for their dedication and commitment," she said.

Other Security Council members noted the global significance of Colombia's move towards peace.

Fode Seck, Senegal's permanent representative to the UN described the agreement as a signal of hope for the world.

"Seen from an African perspective, the historic action which your country has just taken serves as a signal of hope around the world, and especially in my continent where conflicts continue to rage," said Seck.

While Rodolfo Nin Novoa, Foreign Minister of Uruguay, which holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council for the month of January, noted that Colombia's transition to peace would also mean peace for the Americas.

"This makes the entire continent of the Americas into one free of armed conflicts and we inhabitants of the Americas and citizens of the world should be proud of this," said Novoa.

Matthew Rycroft, UK's permanent representative to the UN, praised the parties to the conflict in Colombia for bringing the resolution to the council.

"It is to the credit of the parties that they have worked together to bring this issue to the council," said Rycroft. "It isn't common for a country to refer itself to the council, but this is exactly the sort of role the United Nations should be playing; supporting conflict prevention and conflict resolution at the national level."

If successful, the peace deal will end Colombia's civil war, which has lasted more than 50 years, leaving an estimated 220,000 people dead and forcing more than 6 million Colombians to leave their homes. Enditem