All Must Be Done to Maintain Calm, Prevent Return of Violence in Colombia, Says Secretary-General, Reiterating Firm United Nations Support for Peace Efforts

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

Following the result of the plebiscite, the Secretary-General welcomes the public commitment from the Government of Colombia, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People’s Army (FARC-EP) and all of the country’s political forces to continue working to end the armed conflict and build a lasting peace.  After more than five decades of war, the Colombian people deserve no less.

While political efforts are undertaken to assess the way forward, the Secretary-General believes all must be done to maintain calm and prevent a return to violence.  He commends the parties for their commitment, as expressed by President Juan Manuel Santos Calderón and FARC-EP Commander Timoleón Jiménez, to maintain the bilateral ceasefire declared on 29 August.  The Secretary-General has also instructed his Special Representative, Jean Arnault, to travel to Havana today to continue his consultations with the parties.

The Secretary-General acknowledges the tremendous efforts undertaken to overcome the conflict and calls on all concerned to 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.

The United Nations reiterates its firm support to peace efforts in Colombia.