Colombia peace deal must endure as insecurity grows, Security Council hears

Nearly 10 years after Colombia signed a historic peace agreement to end a decades-long insurgency, the deal is under strain from growing insecurity – and the UN’s top official in the country says it cannot be allowed to falter.Miroslav Jenča told the Security Council on Monday that the 2016 accord must be implemented in full, with proper funding, better coordination between institutions and protection for former combatants.He pointed to real gains: rural development, and mechanisms for transitional justice and reparation for victims. But he admitted that implementation has had “many shortcomings” and that much remains to be done.Security policy and the peace agreement should reinforce each other, Mr. Jenča said, and the accord should be carried out comprehensively.“We look forward to the further definition of its policies, and we stand ready to support the Government in this regard,” he said, offering the experience gained by the UN Verification Mission over almost a decade of supporting implementation.Violence stalks communitiesCommunities in conflict-affected regions remain exposed to armed groups, geographical isolation and limited access to public services. Child recruitment, p...