Heralding Progress towards Peace in Colombia, Security Council Extends Mandate of Verification Mission, Unanimously Adopting Resolution 2704 (2023)
Welcoming progress made towards peace across Colombia amid the Government’s outreach efforts to domestic armed groups, the Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations Verification Mission in that country for one year to monitor and verify implementation of a ceasefire between the Government and the National Liberation Army.
Unanimously adopting resolution 2704 (2023) (to be issued as S/RES/2704), the 15-member body extended the mandate of the Verification Mission until 31 October 2024, expressing its willingness to work with the Government of Colombia on further extension of the mandate on the basis of agreement between the parties.
The representative of the United Kingdom, speaking in explanation of vote after the action, welcomed the consensus adoption of the resolution, which sends a strong signal of support for the peace process in Colombia. She further noted that the Council has recognized efforts of the UN Verification Mission to incorporate gender as a cross-cutting issue in implementing its mandate and ensuring adequate gender expertise.
Ghana’s delegate, also speaking for Gabon and Mozambique, welcomed the unanimous adoption of the resolution, stressing that the vote “reiterates our commitment to support the Government and the Colombian people towards building a stable and lasting peace”. Highlighting remarkable achievements registered so far in negotiations with the National Liberation Army, he encouraged further advancement of the ethnic chapter of the peace agreement — an important component in establishing justice for all, including Afro-Colombians and Indigenous Peoples.
The representative of Japan welcomed the inclusion of the resolution’s reference to the involvement of youth in the peace process “as the driving force of the future”. Affirming that protection for youth and their leaders is essential to ensure their safe and meaningful participation, he further echoed the inclusion of a gender perspective as a crosscutting issue in the Verification Mission.
Brazil’s delegate, Council President for October, speaking in his national capacity, recognized that the resolution adopted fully reflects the sovereign will of Colombia, voicing support for the Government’s strategy to achieve total peace. Expressing optimism at the Government’s dialogue with the self-proclaimed Estado Mayor Central group, he voiced hope that the Council can authorize the Verification Mission to verify implementation of the ceasefire agreement with the Estado Mayor when the necessary degree of maturity is reached.
As in the case of the National Liberation Army, he voiced hope that the Council can authorize the UN Mission to verify implementation of the ceasefire agreement with the Estado Mayor when the necessary degree of maturity is reached.