Crisis Group Colombia

Background

Peace talks between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) were formally opened in Oslo on 18 October 2012, and could be extended to include the National Liberation Army (ELN), the second most significant guerrilla group. This is Colombia's best chance in decades to end the conflict. But continuing violence may yet destabilise the process, and the Santos administration has also threatened to abandon the talks in the event that the FARC attempts to broaden the negotiations beyond the agreed-upon five-point agenda. An accord is not a foregone conclusion, but as of January the talks are largely on track to conclude with a deal in late 2013, before the 2014 electoral cycle creates a more challenging political environment for such an accord.

Impact

The report Colombia: Peace at Last? has firmly established Crisis Group as a trusted source for detailed and impartial analysis on the peace process. It was presented to relevant policy makers in Bogotá, Brussels, Ottawa, Oslo, Berlin, and Washington D.C., as well as to local civil society representatives and the diplomatic community, resulting in several invitations for confidential discussions with key government and international actors.

"The analysis of the International Crisis Group on Colombia constitutes an important source of reference that helps us better understand our reality, as well as how to sensitively address key issues such as progress and obstacles on human rights, and the enormous challenges of comprehensive victims' care in our country", Angelino Garzón, Colombian Vice-President, February 2011

"Peacebuilding is amongst the most vital and complex endeavors of our times. Objective and candid analyses such as the International Crisis Group's are key to its perfection.", Alejandro Eder, Director of the Colombian Agency for Reintegration, January 2012