The Columbian leftist militant group FARC had entered into a peace accord with the government of President Juan Manuel Santos in 2016.
While further negotiations are already on a wobbly path, results of the recent parliamentary elections have complicated matters further.
What are the political developments in Columbia?
FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) was an armed leftist militia that was involved in a protracted civil war with the Columbian government.
Peace - The rebels reached an understanding (accord) with the Columbian government in 2016 to surrender arms and demilitarize permanently.
Colombia’s presidential election is due in May 2018, which is critical for the fragile peace accord with FARC that ended a 50 year civil war.
Also, President Santos was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017 for having piloted the peace initiative despite political pressures.
Notably, Mr. Santos has been implementing the accord in bits and pieces despite strong right-wing opposition led by former President Álvaro Uribe.
The Setback - Parliamentary elections in Columbia were held this month and the results have presented a clear setback to peace-backers.
In the parliamentary vote, Mr. Uribe’s Democratic Centre Party has emerged as the largest bloc in the Senate with 19 seats.
Also, two other right-wing parties, Radical Change and Conservative Party, finished second and third with 16 and 15 seats, respectively.
While the anti-accord parties haven’t managed a clear majority, they now account for 50 of the 102 seats, implying that they do enjoy popular support.
The ruling Social Party of Mr. Santos’s won just 14 seats and FARC which contested polls for the 1st time couldn’t even muster 1% of the votes.
But FARC will still get an assured representation in parliament as agreed in the disputed accord.
How has the Peace Accord worked thus far?
Though the implementation of the peace accord thus far has been patchy, major strides were made in demilitarisation and disbanding of the FARC.
Also, there are clear indications that FARC is transitioning into a genuine political force that has completely shunned violence.
The accord also granted protect to mainstreamed FARC leaders and vouched to prevent right-wing militias from targeting its members and sympathisers.
Yet, several left-wing activists and trade union leaders have been assassinated by right-wing militia groups, thereby hindering effective reconciliation.
Also, such trends are making it harder to get other currently armed insurgents to give up militancy as they fear rightist attacks.
What is the way ahead?
As the verdict of the parliamentary elections show, the pro-accord forces will have to strengthen public support for their efforts in order to sustain it
It needs to be recognized that the memories of the civil war are still quite raw among many and genuine reconciliatory efforts are needed.
Dedicated steps to overcome the urban-rural disconnect and economic disparity is needed for a permanently reigning in violence.
