A ceasefire agreement was reached between the government of Colombia and the Estado Mayor Central (EMC)-FARC — a dissident group of the now-demobilized FARC rebels who refused to lay down their arms in 2016 and continued to engage in armed conflicts. According to multiple sources including the BBC, the parties reached a three-month bilateral ceasefire agreement and resumed peace talks last month in the township of Tibu, Colombia. These are definitely positive developments that may further reduce armed conflicts and establish peace in Colombia. But it remains unclear whether the renewed ceasefire and resumed peace talks will end conflicts between the parties.
It is mentionable that ceasefire agreements are often broken in Colombia — which has been in armed conflicts for decades having the presence of several rebel groups — that can pose significant challenges to ending conflicts and reaching peace. Despite the government’s 2016 Havana Peace Agreement with the FARC rebel group that resulted in ending the conflicts between the parties, the earlier ceasefire between the government and the FARC dissident rebels, made and implemented in 2022, was suspended. Additionally, ceasefire agreements made with the ELN (the National Liberation Army), another armed group that has been in armed conflicts with the Colombian government forces for decades, and the Gulf Clan, the nation’s second largest armed group, were suspended or violated earlier.
There are definitely multifaceted factors that not only lead to the violation of ceasefires but also can hinder peace talks to be successful in ending conflicts between Gustavo Petro’s government and the EMC-FARC group. Long power struggles, deep-rooted grievances in economic and other terms, economic benefits from drug trafficking and differences in interests of the rebel units of the EMC are crucial challenges. Additionally, mistrust between the parties that has been exacerbated by continued armed conflict and violence and a lack of a strong commitment from them can put further challenges. Among others, the presence of organized criminal networks in Colombia and neighboring countries further complicates the path toward solutions and peace.
It is desired that peaceful solutions be reached between the government and the EMC-FARC rebel group — which is active in most of Colombia and has its stronghold in the provinces of Caquetá, Guaviare, Meta and Putumayo. For this, peace talks need to be continued and successful, along with maintaining the ceasefire deal. While setting up a group to monitor the ceasefire as was agreed by the parties can help maintain it, further peace talks need to find effective disarmament and reintegration of the EMC rebels. But peace talks also need to address the underlying grievances that led to the formation of the dissident group to find solutions.
But the emphasis needs to be given to confidence-building measures between the parties in Colombia, which has a strong agricultural sector and has seen significant growth in several sectors including manufacturing and mining during the last several decades but is heavily affected by armed conflicts. Additionally, a commitment from both parties is crucial to end armed conflicts and reach peaceful solutions. Among others, international mediation may also be helpful in reaching a comprehensive and inclusive peace process between the government and the dissident armed group in the South American country.
Amir M Sayem
Chief Editor
Dhaka Opinion Magazine
