Colombian Government and Guerrilla Group Sign Historic Peace Commitment

On July 19 in Pasto, Nariño, Colombia, the Colombian government signed an unprecedented peace commitment with the local guerrilla insurgency group Comuneros del Sur, alongside local community and indigenous youth representatives. This historic agreement aims to resolve the violence and tension that has displaced thousands of local families over the past several years.

President Gustavo Petro and High Commissioner of Peace Otty Patiño, both former nationalist guerrilla fighters from the April 19th Movement (M-19), which ended in 1990 with a peace agreement, have a unique understanding of the ideals held by Comuneros del Sur. This shared background has facilitated a mutual desire for peace on both sides.

"This implies the suspension of hostilities against the population and the cleaning not only physically of the territories through demining, but also the search and recognition of missing persons, as well as a spiritual cleansing. All of this must be addressed in the working groups to advance this process," Patiño said about the commitment's future steps. "We don't want this to be just another event, but one where we come out with working groups that address various key aspects moving forward. To achieve this, we need a peace force and solid, organized teams that include everyone: national, departmental, municipal institutions, indigenous authorities and women."

The Peace Commitment Presentation at Universidad CESMAG was witnessed by third-party participants, including NGO Heavenly Culture World Peace Restoration of Light (HWPL) and local indigenous youth. This event not only marks the first commitment to peace and a territorial peace process but also symbolizes a new milestone in public involvement. Patiño believes that witnessing this historic moment will inspire youth to build a brighter, more peaceful future.

Symbolic of the unity Nariño aims to create, the event featured a mandala made of fruits and produce from various regional territories. Leaders placed their representative flags and symbols of peace around the mandala, and the opening ceremony included lighting candles and sharing prayers for a peaceful future.

The initiatives resulting from this peace cooperation include demining villages within Nariño, facilitating farming, productivity, and overall well-being for local residents. Other measures involve transitioning Comuneros del Sur members to civilian life and taking steps against the forced recruitment of children and adolescents. Safe passage will also be provided for hundreds of displaced families returning to their local villages in the coming months. HWPL will offer peace leadership training for youth to educate them on the value of peace and counteract pressures to join insurgency groups.

"We fully believe in the power to construct a future for our youth, where we can strengthen our culture, our teachers, our own rights, our community's economy, and ethnic prevention for our people," said Julica Sedo, a youth leader from Organization de Respaldo indígena de pueblo Vale de Pacifico. She expressed her gratitude for the involvement of international organizations like HWPL in advancing the community. "We firmly believe that international organizations can intervene in communities, helping to advance by working together with. Historically, we have suffered through many adversities, so we hope to continue working together and not forget the peoples exist here in Nariño, as well as throughout Colombia."

Related Link:
http://hwpl.us