Berlin, 29 November 2022 (TDI): Germany accepted the invitation to accompany the peace process between the government of Colombia and the guerilla ELN. The resumption of peace talks between the Colombian government and the National Liberation Army (ELN) is projected as a sign of hope in difficult times.
The peace talks between the negotiators from the government and the leftist guerilla group ELN began on 21 November. Both sides agreed to invite Brazil, Chile, and Mexico to join Norway, Cuba, and Venezuela, as guarantors of peace.
They also invited Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, and Spain to accompany the peace talks. The United States is also encouraged to appoint a special envoy to the negotiation table.
Germany has accepted the invitation to take part in the negotiations and attend the peace process. The resumption of the peace process is pronounced as good news by the German Foreign Office.
Peace Process
The President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro after coming into office in August this year, announced “total peace” in Colombia. This would be achieved by negotiations with the rebel group, ELN to end 60 years of war. More than 450,000 people have been killed in these six decades of internal conflict.
Also read: Colombia elects Gustavo Petro as President
In 2016, the country signed a peace deal with the much larger Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). The peace process began in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela.
This process will rotate according to the government of Colombia, among the guarantor countries Cuba, Venezuela, and Norway.
Previously the peace talks between ELN and the government began in 2017 under former President Juan Manuel Santos (2010-2018) in Ecuador. The talks later moved to Cuba in 2019 but were called off by then-President Ivan Duque (2018-2022).
Colombian President Petro has promised to implement the 2016 peace deal with the demobilized Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). This process if successful would bring peace to the country by ending the internal conflict.
