The Colombian government has signed an unprecedented commitment to initiate a territorial peace process with the local guerrilla insurgency group Comuneros del Sur, along with local community and indigenous youth representatives. This landmark agreement, signed on July 19 in Pasto, Nariño, Colombia, is set to address the violence and tension that have displaced thousands of families over the past several years.
Signed by President Gustavo Petro and High Commissioner of Peace Otty Patiño, both former nationalist guerrilla fighters from the April 19th Movement (M-19), the agreement emphasizes the shared desire for peace between the government and Comuneros del Sur. The peace process aims to suspend hostilities, conduct demining operations, search for and recognize missing persons, and undertake a spiritual cleansing of the affected territories.
"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," Patiño stated. He emphasized the need for organized, inclusive teams that involve national, departmental, municipal institutions, indigenous authorities, and women to advance the peace process.
The Peace Commitment Presentation at Universidad CESMAG was witnessed by third-party participants, including the NGO Heavenly Culture World Peace Restoration of Light (HWPL) and local indigenous youth. Patiño believes that involving the public in this historic moment will inspire youth accountability towards building a peaceful future.
The event featured a mandala made of fruits and produce from various territories, symbolizing the unity Nariño aims to achieve. Leaders placed their representative flags and symbols of peace around the mandala and shared a prayer for a peaceful future, marking the opening of the gathering.
The initiatives outlined in the peace cooperation include demining villages in Nariño to enhance farming and productivity and ensure the overall peace and well-being of local residents. Additionally, the process will facilitate the transition of Comuneros del Sur members to civilian life and implement measures against the forced recruitment of children and adolescents. Hundreds of displaced families will be provided safe passage back to their local villages in the coming months. HWPL will also offer peace leadership training for youth, promoting education and the value of peace in the face of pressures to join insurgency groups.
Julica Sedo, a youth leader from Organization de Respaldo indígena de pueblo Vale de Pacifico, expressed gratitude for international organizations like HWPL stepping in to help. "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," Sedo said. She emphasized the importance of continued collaboration and recognition of the hardships faced by communities in Nariño and throughout Colombia.
Related Link:
http://hwpl.us
