The ambassadors from France and Germany on Monday asked Colombia to move forward with peace talks with the country’s second largest rebel group, the ELN.
German Ambassador Gunter Kniess said that the peace process without a peace deal with the ELN, a possible deal with the FARC, the country’s largest rebel group, would be incomplete.
PROFILE: ELN
“All armed groups, all guerrilla groups need to be involved. If not there is the risk of an incomplete peace,” the ambassador told Blu Radio.
According to Kniess, a failure to demobilize the ELN together with the FARC would increase the risk of former FARC fighters joining the ELN.
French Ambassador Jean-Marc Laforet supported the German Ambassador’s view on the peace process, said Blu.
The government and ELN started formal peace talks in June, five days before the presidential election.
MORE: Colombia govt, ELN rebels announce formal peace talks
However, no progress on the talks have been reported by either the government or ELN since then.
The government has been engaged in talks with the FARC since November 2012.
Sources
