Bogotá, September 4, 2017 – The UN Mission and the United Nations System in Colombia celebrate the agreement reached between the Government of Colombia and the National Liberation Army (ELN) to implement a bilateral and temporary ceasefire, announced today by the Public Table of Conversations of Quito. 

The United Nations believes that the main objective of the agreement is to improve the humanitarian situation of the population. This act is a concrete step towards a fully respect and application of International Humanitarian Law and will help build confidence in the peace process.

The Colombian civilian population that suffers the conflict directly will be the main beneficiary with the commitments announced by the ELN to suspend all type of kidnappings and attacks against the physical infrastructure, the enrolment of children and teenagers and the abstention from installing anti-personnel explosive mines.

Likewise, the United Nations welcomes that as part of this agreement, the Colombian Government will strengthen the early warning system to prevent attacks and killings of social leaders. All these measures will help to create a favourable climate for the process of consultation with citizens, set out in the negotiating agenda.

The United Nations appreciates the role of Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Ecuador, Norway and Venezuela for their accompaniment as guarantors in this peace process.