Colombia govt, FARC outline last phase of peace talks

Pablo Catatumbo (Photo: EPA)

Colombia’s largest rebel group, the FARC, has begun outlining the structure and methods which will be used to discuss the final topic of the peace process with the Colombian government, the end of the conflict, local media reported on Wednesday

The final phase of the peace talks includes the political incorporation of the FARC guerrillas into political and public life, the demobilization of the armed group, and criminal penalties for the FARC’s leaders.

The discussions are also currently attempting to determine the role of victims in the peace talks, as a 15 delegate list was presented to representatives of the FARC and the government, according to national radio Caracol.

MORE: Colombia selects 15 delegates to represent victims in FARC peace talks

Also to be discussed is a truth committee that will deal with the conflict in general, as well as an official recognition of the origins, causes, and prolongation of the Colombian armed conflict.

The Colombian government and the FARC  have been in peace negotiations since 2012, currently taking place in Havana, Cuba.

The dialogues were a contentious issue in the previous presidential elections with re-elected President Juan Manuel Santos claiming his election would bring “peace” while his challenger, Oscar Ivan Zuluaga, promised a “peace with justice,” implying that Santos would allow FARC members to enter political office without prison time.

Talks were recently announced between the Colombian government and the second largest rebel group in the country, the ELN, in mid-June.

MORE: Colombia govt, ELN rebels announce formal peace talks

Sources

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