UNSC unanimously adopts resolution to renews mandate of UN Colombia Mission; Pakistan backs

UNITED NATIONS, Oct 31 (APP)::The United Nations Security Council Friday, unanimously adopted resolution 2833 (2026) extending the mandate of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia until 31 October 2027, focusing on its primary function to support verification and monitoring of implementation of the Final Agreement pertaining to resolution 2366 (2017). Colombia's conflict, rooted in political exclusion and land inequality, lasted more than five decades and involved guerrilla, paramilitary and criminal groups that killed and displaced millions. The 2016 Final Peace Agreement between the Government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People's Army (FARC-EP) ended the largest insurgency and established commitments on disarmament and reintegration, rural reform, political participation and transitional justice. The Verification Mission was created that year to monitor implementation of the accord. As implementation enters its final five years, Colombia — under the new Administration of President Abelardo Gabriel de la Espriella, who assumed office on 7 August — has proposed refocusing the Mission on reintegration and security guarantees, while scaling back attention to rural reform, which it argues falls primarily within national responsibilities and beyond the Mission's core mandate. In an explanation of his vote, Ambassador Usman Jadoon, the acting permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, told the 15-member Council, 'Our positive vote today is reflective of our longstanding support to Colombia and its people in their efforts to overcome the trauma from the past, and charting a Colombian-led-and-owned process of peacebuilding for the security, wellbeing and prosperity of all Colombian people.' He said that the 2016 Peace Accord, agreed among the Colombian stakeholders, can help deliver stability in Colombia. 'We fully defer to Colombia's preference to focus the mandate of the UN Verification Mission on the aspects of security and reintegration,' the Pakistani envoy said, hoping that the Mission would positively contribute to these areas, while noting Foreign Minister Omar Bular's affirmation of his government's commitment to implement the peace agreement, and to ensure safety and security of all the Colombian people. Pakistan, he said, remains committed to support Colombia in the pursuit of peace, and stands in solidarity with Colombia and its people to support their spirited journey towards a stable and prosperous country and enduring peace.