Colombian government, rebels sign peace agreement accord

World Today

Colombian government, rebels sign peace agreement accord 2

Negotiations continue between Colombia’s government and leftist rebels to end Latin America’s longest-running civil war.

CCTV America’s Michael Voss has details on the progress.

Colombia’s armed conflict between the government and FARC guerrillas has been raging for more than 50 years.

At least 220,000 people have died and millions more displaced. But after almost four years of negotiations in Havana an endgame is taking shape.

In June, Colombia’s president flew to Cuba to sign a historic agreement with FARC’s commander in chief for a ceasefire and for the rebels to lay down their arms and return to civilian life.

On Friday, the Colombian government and FARC representatives signed a new series of protocols, outlining in greater detail, how and where the FARC will move to transition camps and the timing and mechanisms for handing over their weapons.

The final peace accord is another step closer, but there are still several outstanding issues to resolve here in Havana. These include the make-up and remit of special tribunals to look into atrocities committed on both sides and how far amnesties will apply.

Once the talks here are concluded, the final peace agreement will be put to the Colombian people in a referendum and latest polls suggest the opinions there remain divided.