In phone call, UN chief encourages Colombian leaders to stay the course of the peace process

Speaking by phone with the leaders of the Colombian peace process, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged both Juan Manuel Santos, the President of Colombia, and Timoleon Jimenez, Commander of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People’s Army (FARC-EP), to stay the course for peace in spite of the outcome of the recent referendum.

According to a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban congratulated President Santos for being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, noting that it sends an encouraging message to the victims of the conflict who were put at the heart of the historic peace talks, hosted in Havana, Cuba, since 2012.

In a joint statement from the Cuban capital last week, the Government and FARC-EP announced that they were willing to press ahead on the goals of the historic peace accord, while the two sides also requested that the UN Mission in the country to continue coordinating the tripartite Verification and Monitoring Mechanism, particularly relating to the ceasefire.

In his statement today, the Secretary-General commended the leaders on their dedication to maintain the ceasefire, the adoption of a protocol to prevent any incidents, and the role given to the tripartite Mechanism in ensuring its implementation.

“The Secretary-General recognized that these measures will certainly help create a favourable environment for the political discussions that we hope will lead to a successful conclusion of the peace process,” the statement concluded.

After voters last week rejected the accord, which aimed to end Colombia’s 50-year conflict, Mr. Ban called on all concerned to nevertheless build on that foundation. “He believes strongly that peace can still be achieved, and that the many Colombians who have committed themselves to this goal should not be discouraged,” according to a statement issued by his spokesperson.