The search for lasting peace in Colombia is an important concern for Switzerland, which has been a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council since 2023. Switzerland supports Colombia in its search for lasting peace both on the Security Council and directly within the framework of various peace negotiations. It has assumed official mandates to facilitate peace negotiations between the Colombian government and the rebel groups Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN) and Estado Mayor Central de las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (EMC FARC-EP), and it actively supports the implementation of the 2016 peace agreement. Promoting sustainable peace is one of Switzerland's priorities during its term on the UN Security Council.
Colombia has been mired in armed conflict for decades. According to estimates, the conflict has claimed almost half a million lives – mostly civilians – and more than 8 million people have been internally displaced. A peace agreement between the Colombian government and the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejército del Pueblo (FARC-EP) guerrilla group was concluded in 2016. Nevertheless, some parts of the country have seen an increase in clashes between armed groups, which has significantly hampered the implementation of the peace agreement and development in rural areas affected by violence.
Switzerland plays a key role in the Colombian peace process. On 16 October 2023, it was officially requested by the Colombian government and the EMC FARC-EP, a breakaway group of the former FARC-EP, to serve as a guarantor state for the peace negotiations. It also serves as an accompanying state in the negotiations between the government and the ELN. This is a testament to the high level of trust that both sides place in Switzerland, based on its decades-long peace policy and presence in the country. Switzerland has actively pursued a peace policy in Colombia for more than 20 years and was instrumental in brokering the 2016 peace agreement. Since then, Switzerland has also supported the implementation of the agreement, in particular in relation to the reintegration of ex-combatants, land reform, citizen participation and dealing with the past.
The Colombian government's and the rebel groups' requests are a clear sign of their trust in Switzerland's neutrality and peace policy. Switzerland's political and technical expertise is highly valued in the negotiations, as is its ability to mediate effectively during challenging periods. Switzerland also seeks to ensure that important aspects such as the protection of the civilian population, the rights of victims and the participation of civil society, particularly women, are taken into account in the peace negotiations.
Challenges to sustainable peace
Despite the progress made, the security situation in Colombia remains fragile. Although the 2016 peace agreement has led to an improvement in the situation, many regions of the country continue to be plagued by violence driven by armed groups that have moved in to fill the power vacuum left by the demobilisation of the former FARC-EP. This violence continues to severely affect the civilian population, and over 400 former FARC fighters, along with numerous human rights defenders and community leaders, have been murdered since the signing of the peace agreement. The Colombian government under President Gustavo Petro is pursuing a comprehensive peace policy known as 'Paz Total' which aims to implement the 2016 peace agreement and conduct negotiations with all remaining armed groups. Parallel peace talks, including those between the ELN and the EMC FARC-EP, pose major challenges. Nevertheless, there are positive signs.
The Security Council's role in the peace process in Colombia
The UN Security Council reviews the situation in Colombia on a quarterly basis and has adopted various resolutions in support of the peace process. The United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVMC), established in 2017 under a Security Council mandate, plays a pivotal role in monitoring the implementation of the peace agreement and supporting the ongoing peace negotiations.
In August 2023, the Security Council broadened the mandate of the UNVMC to include monitoring the ceasefire with the ELN. In October 2023, the UNVMC's mandate was unanimously renewed. Cross-cutting issues such as gender equality were added. These issues are vital for achieving lasting peace in a country that has faced decades of violence and inequality.
A visit by a UN Security Council delegation to Colombia in February 2024 provided an opportunity to assess progress and challenges on the ground, and to discuss further steps to promote peace. Switzerland co-organised the visit with Guyana and the United Kingdom. The delegation met with Colombian President Gustavo Petro and representatives of the authorities responsible for implementing the 2016 peace agreement, civil society, the Special Jurisdiction for Peace and former combatants.
Looking ahead
The road to lasting peace in Colombia is long and rocky. Yet there are reasons for hope. The Colombian government and the international community are continuing to work to reduce violence and strengthen social cohesion. Switzerland's role remains central, whether it is supporting the implementation of the 2016 peace agreement, acting as a guarantor state in the peace negotiations with the EMC FARC-EP or accompanying the negotiations with the ELN. The continued engagement of the United Nations and support from the international community give hope for lasting peace in Colombia.
