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  • The challenge of peacebuilding: Lessons from Colombia

The challenge of peacebuilding: Lessons from Colombia

13 June 2017 / Published in Article

The challenge of peacebuilding: Lessons from Colombia

For 50 long years, insurgent groups have embroiled Colombia in conflict. During the most intense period from 1990 to 2004—when, according to international standards, it reached the level of a “major armed conflict”—it affected practically the entire country. The consequences for the civilian population have been enormous: more than 230,000 people killed and more than 7 million others forcefully displaced by the violence. The rural, aboriginal and Afro-Colombian populations have suffered disproportionately.

In response to the intensity of the conflict, there have been numerous, serious attempts to construct peace. Such attempts have combined strategies of peace that have been employed in other countries with “protracted armed conflicts.” Depending on the circumstances, locations and affected populations, different combinations of “peacekeeping,” “peacemaking” and “peacebuilding” have been applied.

First of all, it is necessary to contain the devastating consequences of a conflict on the civilian population. In Colombia, this has implied strategies of “civilian peacekeeping,” which involves maintaining a national or international presence to discourage armed actors from targeting the population. It also involves forms of civil resistance, such as demarcating communities and territories of peace where people oppose the use of violence.

Secondly, “peacemaking” is required, that is, negotiating peace agreements with armed groups. Since 1989 several rounds of negotiation have taken place in Colombia. Recently, during the administration of President Juan Manuel Santos, negotiations over a four-year period (2012–2016) with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) came to a successful conclusion. This year, negotiations with the National Liberation Army (ELN) have begun.

Transformative community dialogue on the substitution of illicit crops with cacao, in Magdalena Medio, Colombia. (Photo: D. Rueda/SJR LAC)

Transformative community dialogue on the substitution of illicit crops with cacao, in Magdalena Medio, Colombia. (Photo: D. Rueda/SJR LAC)

Thirdly, once peace agreements with distinct armed groups have been signed, many “peacebuilding” initiatives are needed. In Colombia, these have included not only processes of demobilization, disarmament and the reintegration of combatants, but also concrete plans for the economic, political and cultural wellbeing of the victims of conflict. Much is required to promote reconciliation in a society that has suffered deep wounds and divisions due to war and violence.

It is important in the interests of peace not to give up when there are setbacks or when a particular peace initiative appears to be collapsing. In Colombia, the peace agreement with the FARC has had its fair share of obstacles with regard to its acceptance, political endorsement and implementation. The agreement that was signed in August of 2016 contained articles on: integrated rural reform; political participation; a solution to the scourge of illicit drugs; support for the victims of the conflict; transitional justice; guarantees of security, ceasefire and the termination of hostilities; and the disarmament of the guerrillas. Nevertheless, in the national referendum of 2 October, the agreement was voted down by a margin of less than 55,000 votes out of a total of 12,800,000. As a result, several points had to be renegotiated to incorporate conditions set by those who opposed the agreement.

On 14 November 2016 a new agreement was signed and endorsed by the Congress, which is slowly approving the necessary laws for its implementation. When the ceasefire came into effect, there was a significant reduction in the level of violence. Since then there has also been progress in the demobilization and disarmament of the guerrillas, which should draw to a close in 2017. Due to deep polarization in the country with respect to the war and peace process, the implementation of the latter has met with difficulties. There still exists the real risk that the agreement could end up shipwrecked in the current, stormy, pre-electoral context.

The people of Colombia look with hope and expectation at the advances already achieved in the implementation of the peace agreement. All the same, the challenges to the distribution of the benefits that it promises are significant. On the one hand, the persistence of some armed groups poses a threat for the rural populations located in zones where there are illegal activities. On the other hand, there is a lot of uncertainty about the implementation of the many complex promised mechanisms for rural development, political participation and transitional justice, which guarantees access to the truth and compensation for victims, including the restitution of their land.

Within this context, Jesuit Refugee Services (JRS) is working to accompany the communities that are in vulnerable situations, under threat of being displaced, so that they are more resilient and able to remain in their territory. Likewise, JRS helps victims who are already internally displaced to understand and get access to their legal rights, so that they can fully integrate. We walk with our people, so that they are empowered and become agents of peace and reconciliation in their own context. And this is something that can be effective, not only in Colombia, but in the many other places where peace is lacking and where conflict threatens to destroy people’s lives and communities.

This article first appeared in the 2017 Spring & Summer issue of Mission News. 

(Banner photo by D. Rueda/SJR LAC: Gathering of women peacebuilders in the Conquista barrio of Cucuta, Colombia)

Author

  • Mauricio García Durán SJ

    Mauricio García Durán SJ is Director of Jesuit Refugee Services–Colombia, Regional Director of JRS for Latin America and Coordinator of the Latin American Jesuits Migration Network.

    View all posts

Tagged under: Colombia, internally displaced persons, jesuit refugee service, peacebuilding, peacemaking

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Canadian Jesuits International (CJI) se solidariza con los jesuitas de México al condenar el asesinato y lamentar la pérdida de Javier Campos Morales SJ y Joaquín César Mora Salazar SJ. Los dos jesuitas fueron asesinados por asaltantes armados en Cerocahui, Chihuahua, México, el 20 de junio, junto con Pedro Palma, un hombre que buscaba refugio en la iglesia de la comunidad.Estas muertes no son actos de violencia aislados. En varias regiones de México, muchos hombres y mujeres, religiosos y laicos, sufren la violencia y son asesinados impunemente. Los jesuitas de México trabajan para promover la justicia, luchar por la defensa de los derechos humanos y hablar por la paz en zonas conflictivas. Por estas mismas razones, ellos y las personas a las que acompañan son a menudo víctimas de la violencia.Nos unimos a los jesuitas de México en el duelo por la pérdida de sus dos hermanos jesuitas. También exigimos que se tomen todas las medidas para la protección de los jesuitas restantes, los laicos y los miembros de la comunidad que ahora están en riesgo de más violencia. Estamos con ellos mientras dan voz a los silenciados y acompañan a los pobres y marginados que sufren la violencia endémica, especialmente a aquellos cuyas muertes no reciben ninguna atención pública. Sus voces no serán silenciadas por esta violencia y nos solidarizamos con ellas.#Jesuitas @sjes_rome @jesuitas_mexico @cpalsocial @somosjesuitas
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Canadian Jesuits International (CJI) stands in solidarity with the Jesuits of Mexico as we condemn the murder and mourn the loss of Javier Campos Morales SJ and Joaquín César Mora Salazar SJ. The two Jesuits were killed by armed assailants in Cerocahui, Chihuahua, Mexico on June 20, along with Pedro Palma, a man seeking refuge in the community church.These deaths are not isolated acts of violence. In several regions of Mexico, many men and women, religious and lay people, experience violence and are killed with impunity. The Jesuits of Mexico work to promote justice, fight for the defence of human rights and speak for peace in conflict-ridden areas. For these very reasons, they and the people they accompany are often victims of violence.We join the Jesuits of Mexico in mourning the loss of their two Jesuit brothers. We also demand that all measures be taken for the protection of the remaining Jesuits, lay people and the community members who are now at risk of further violence. We stand with them as they give voice to those who are silenced and accompany poor and marginalized people suffering from endemic violence, especially those whose deaths do not get any public attention. Their voices will not be silenced by this violence and we stand in solidarity with them.#Jesuits @jesuitsofcanada  @sjes_rome
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Canadian Jesuits International (CJI) stands in solidarity with the Jesuits of Mexico as we condemn the murder and mourn the loss of Javier Campos Morales SJ and Joaquín César Mora Salazar SJ. The two Jesuits were killed by armed assailants in Cerocahui, Chihuahua, Mexico on June 20, along with Pedro Palma, a man seeking refuge in the community church.These deaths are not isolated acts of violence. In several regions of Mexico, many men and women, religious and lay people, experience violence and are killed with impunity. The Jesuits of Mexico work to promote justice, fight for the defence of human rights and speak for peace in conflict-ridden areas. For these very reasons, they and the people they accompany are often victims of violence.We join the Jesuits of Mexico in mourning the loss of their two Jesuit brothers. We also demand that all measures be taken for the protection of the remaining Jesuits, lay people and the community members who are now at risk of further violence. We stand with them as they give voice to those who are silenced and accompany poor and marginalized people suffering from endemic violence, especially those whose deaths do not get any public attention. Their voices will not be silenced by this violence and we stand in solidarity with them.#Jesuits @jesuitsofcanada @sjes_rome
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Canadian Jesuits International (CJI) stands in solidarity with the Jesuits of Mexico as we condemn the murder and mourn the loss of Javier Campos Morales SJ and Joaquín César Mora Salazar SJ. The two Jesuits were killed by armed assailants in Cerocahui, Chihuahua, Mexico on June 20, along with Pedro Palma, a man seeking refuge in the community church.These deaths are not isolated acts of violence. In several regions of Mexico, many men and women, religious and lay people, experience violence and are killed with impunity. The Jesuits of Mexico work to promote justice, fight for the defence of human rights and speak for peace in conflict-ridden areas. For these very reasons, they and the people they accompany are often victims of violence.We join the Jesuits of Mexico in mourning the loss of their two Jesuit brothers. We also demand that all measures be taken for the protection of the remaining Jesuits, lay people and the community members who are now at risk of further violence. We stand with them as they give voice to those who are silenced and accompany poor and marginalized people suffering from endemic violence, especially those whose deaths do not get any public attention. Their voices will not be silenced by this violence and we stand in solidarity with them.#Jesuits @jesuitsofcanada  @sjes_rome
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Canadian Jesuits International (CJI) stands in solidarity with the Jesuits of Mexico as we condemn the murder and mourn the loss of Javier Campos Morales SJ and Joaquín César Mora Salazar SJ. The two Jesuits were killed by armed assailants in Cerocahui, Chihuahua, Mexico on June 20, along with Pedro Palma, a man seeking refuge in the community church.These deaths are not isolated acts of violence. In several regions of Mexico, many men and women, religious and lay people, experience violence and are killed with impunity. The Jesuits of Mexico work to promote justice, fight for the defence of human rights and speak for peace in conflict-ridden areas. For these very reasons, they and the people they accompany are often victims of violence.We join the Jesuits of Mexico in mourning the loss of their two Jesuit brothers. We also demand that all measures be taken for the protection of the remaining Jesuits, lay people and the community members who are now at risk of further violence. We stand with them as they give voice to those who are silenced and accompany poor and marginalized people suffering from endemic violence, especially those whose deaths do not get any public attention. Their voices will not be silenced by this violence and we stand in solidarity with them.#Jesuits @jesuitsofcanada @sjes_rome
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Canadian Jesuits International (CJI) stands in solidarity with the Jesuits of Mexico as we condemn the murder and mourn the loss of Javier Campos Morales SJ and Joaquín César Mora Salazar SJ. The two Jesuits were killed in Cerocahui, Chihuahua, Mexico. Religious and lay people continue to be tortured and killed as they fight for the recognition of human rights of marginalized people and stand up for peace in conflict-ridden areas. CJI supports our Jesuit and lay partners in Mexico and other parts of the Global South where they accompany poor and marginalized people in recognition of their right to live in dignity and peace.Canadian Jesuits International (CJI) se solidariza con los jesuitas de México al condenar el asesinato y lamentar la pérdida de Javier Campos Morales SJ y Joaquín César Mora Salazar SJ. Los dos jesuitas fueron asesinados en Cerocahui, Chihuahua, México. Religiosos y laicos siguen siendo torturados y asesinados cuando luchan por el reconocimiento de los derechos humanos de las personas marginadas y defienden la paz en las zonas de conflicto. CJI apoya a nuestros compañeros jesuitas y laicos en México y otras partes del Sur Global donde acompañan a las personas pobres y marginadas en el reconocimiento de su derecho a vivir en dignidad y paz.https://bit.ly/3bhmGu2#HumanRights #derechoshumanos @jesuitas_mexico @jesuitsofcanada #justiceandpeace
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Canadian Jesuits International (CJI) stands in solidarity with the Jesuits of Mexico as we condemn the murder and mourn the loss of Javier Campos Morales SJ and Joaquín César Mora Salazar SJ. The two Jesuits were killed in Cerocahui, Chihuahua, Mexico. Religious and lay people continue to be tortured and killed as they fight for the recognition of human rights of marginalized people and stand up for peace in conflict-ridden areas. CJI supports our Jesuit and lay partners in Mexico and other parts of the Global South where they accompany poor and marginalized people in recognition of their right to live in dignity and peace.Canadian Jesuits International (CJI) se solidariza con los jesuitas de México al condenar el asesinato y lamentar la pérdida de Javier Campos Morales SJ y Joaquín César Mora Salazar SJ. Los dos jesuitas fueron asesinados en Cerocahui, Chihuahua, México. Religiosos y laicos siguen siendo torturados y asesinados cuando luchan por el reconocimiento de los derechos humanos de las personas marginadas y defienden la paz en las zonas de conflicto. CJI apoya a nuestros compañeros jesuitas y laicos en México y otras partes del Sur Global donde acompañan a las personas pobres y marginadas en el reconocimiento de su derecho a vivir en dignidad y paz.https://bit.ly/3bhmGu2#HumanRights #derechoshumanos @jesuitas_mexico @jesuitsofcanada #justiceandpeace
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On #WorldRefugeeDay2022, CJI stands in solidarity with all forcibly displaced people and supports the work of Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) in Colombia, Ethiopia, Lebanon, South Sudan, Syria, Venezuela and Ukraine and its neighbouring countries. CJI also supports the work of Jesuit Migrant Service (SJM) in Mexico, Haiti, Brazil and Venezuela.
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Support Canadian Jesuits International (CJI) and our Jesuit partners in Africa, Asia and Latin America and help us win $20,000! Throughout the month of June, every dollar you donate will help increase our chances of winning the Great Canadian Giving Challenge.#GivingChallengeCA is CanadaHelps' month-long contest to help charities fundraise during the slow summer months when donations tend to decline. Since 2015, the Great Canadian Giving Challenge gives charities a reason to engage their donor base, attract new donors, and have the chance to win a major prize donation from CanadaHelps.Support CJI and our #Jesuit partners in the Global South. Donate now! https://bit.ly/SuppportCJI (or click on the link on our profile page)#EqualityForAll #JustFutureForAll
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