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Colombia peace deal: Historic agreement

is signed

20 minutes ago

From the sectionLatin America & Caribbean

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Image copyrightAFPImage captionColombia's President Santos, left, and the rebel leader known as
Timochenko shook hands after signing the deal

The Colombian government and left-wing Farc rebels have signed a historic agreement that
formally brings an end to 52 years of civil war.
President Juan Manuel Santos and rebel leader Timoleon Jimenez, known as Timochenko, used a pen
made from a bullet to sign the deal.
Thousands of guests wore white clothes to symbolise peace.
The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and leaders of Latin American countries were among those
present.
The last of the major Cold War conflicts killed 260,000 people and left six million internally displaced.
The president said he hoped the deal would bring the country into a new era.
"We will achieve any goal, overcome any hurdle and turn our nation into a country we've always
dreamed of - a country in peace," he told the crowds.
The deal must pass a referendum next week before it can pass into law. Polls indicate the majority of
Colombians will vote for it, although there has been some opposition, led by two ex-presidents.

Image copyrightEPAImage captionRelatives of people kidnapped and murdered by Farc rebels are
attending the ceremony

Image copyrightEPAImage captionUN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is in Cartagena for the signing
ceremony

Image copyrightAPImage captionTimochenko travelled to Cartagena on Saturday for the historic

ceremony
Under the deal, the Farc will be relaunched as a political party. The entire peace agreement will be put to
Colombian voters in a popular vote on 2 October.
It comes after four years of talks in Havana, Cuba, between President Santos and Timochenko.
About 2,500 foreign and local dignitaries witnessed the signing ceremony in the walled, colonial city of
Cartagena.
The president said the decision to use a bullet-pen was intended to illustrate Colombia's transition from a
country of bullets into a country of "education and future".

Image copyrightREUTERSImage captionCorrespondents say most Colombians are expected to support

the deal - these supporters have made a sign of the Spanish word for "peace"

Image copyrightAPImage captionBut some people are opposed to it - demonstrations against the deal
were held in Cartagena on Monday
Correspondents say President Santos has risked his political future on the success of the peace deal.
Who are the Farc?
President Santos: From hawk to dove
The guerrilla leader who talks peace
Female Farc fighter on abortions in the army
Dignitaries attending the ceremony include UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, US Secretary of State
John Kerry and Cuban President Raul Castro.
"This step that your country is going to take is a giant step," Mr Kerry said as he arrived in the country.
He praised the efforts of Mr Santos to secure the deal and and pledged $390m (300m) to help
implement it.
The US is not yet ready to remove the Farc from its list of terrorist organisations, he said, but is prepared
to review that sanction once the peace agreement is up and running.

However, only hours before the signing, the EU announced it was removing the Farc from its list.
"This decision will allow us to support the post-conflict programme and will be of benefit to all
Colombians," EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said on social media.
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Media captionJuan Manuel Santos: "The signature of the deal is simply the end of the conflict then the
hard work starts"
Correspondents say that although there is widespread hope that the deal may bring an end to the
kidnappings and bloodshed that have blighted Colombia over five decades, it has also led to divisions in
Latin America's fourth-biggest economy.
Some are angry that it allows rebels to enter parliament without serving time in prison.
Farc rebels must now hand over weapons to the UN within 180 days.

The Farc's 52-year fight

Image copyrightREUTERS
1964: Set up as armed wing of Communist Party
2002: At its height, it had an army of 20,000 fighters controlling up to a third of the country. Senator
Ingrid Betancourt kidnapped and held for six years along with 14 other hostages
2008: The Farc suffers a series of defeats in its worst year
2012: Start of peace talks in Havana
2016: Definitive ceasefire
Full timeline of Farc conflict

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