Top Issue 1-2024

25 September 2015

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Colombian and FARC leaders pledge end to 50 years of civil war

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos (left) shakes hands with FARC-EP rebel leader Rodrigo Londono alongside Cuban President Raúl Castro (centre)

IN A historic moment, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos shook hands with the leader of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – People's Army (FARC-EP) rebel group, Rodrigo Londono, as the two pledged to end the 50 year civil war within the next six months.

The pledge, which will see the FARC begin decommissioning their weapons within 60 days, was announced in Havana where the Cuban government under President Raúl Castro has been playing a key role in ending the long-running conflict.

The result will see an amnesty granted to all combatants over their role in the conflict. However, those accused of war crimes or crimes against humanity will not be protected and will instead face special tribunals which will hand down considerably lenient sentences to those who come forward and admit their involvement in such crimes. Reparations will also be provided to the families of victims on all sides.

Rebel leader Londono, who is better known by his nom de guerre Timochenko, said he hoped a bi-lateral ceasefire would be implemented and hopes a peace deal can be signed before the six months expire:

"We don't want anything to stop this overflowing desire for peace and hope it will be forged in a hug of reconciliation," he told reporters.

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams, who will travel to Havana next week where it is planned he will meet negotiators, described the news as "historic".

Since 2012 a number of senior Sinn Féin representatives have travelled to Colombia to deal with the issue including Paul Maskey MP, Conor Murphy MLA and Martin McGuinness MLA.

"I want to warmly welcome the agreement reached on justice issues between the Colombian government and FARC negotiators in negotiations in Havana. I will travel to Cuba next week and I hope to meet the negotiators to discuss these developments and their path to peace," Gerry Adams TD said.

More than 220,000 people have been killed and millions displaced in a civil war between the Colombian Government aided by their paramilitary death squads, and the leftist guerrillas of the FARC-EP and also the smaller National Liberation Army (ELN).

The conflict began when Colombian military units attacked isolated rural communities where peasants were demanding agrarian and land reform. In response the FARC emerged to resist such attacks and later went on the offensive against the Colombian Government.

FARC-EP soldiers in 2001

  • FARC-EP soldiers pictured in 2001

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