Why Juba has plenty to learn from Havana peace accord

By Simon Mone

Colombian government and its Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrilla group have for a long time been in a protracted haggle over an end of conflict.

And finally things are poised up very nicely. If the principles of these long-drawn-out talks are to be respected, then peace looms big time in Bogotá. But is there anything in it, good enough that authorities in Juba can take away?

Possibly scratch through the proceedings, copy it and paste in front of Salva Kiir and Riek Machar, so they can copy something from the Havana accord. This is because peace talks seem to be the only viable alternative to settling political differences these days.

Riek Machar knows too well, how hard it is to try and snatch authority by using force. FARC can offer some teaching on this. They have found out how difficult, after over 50 years of madness that they subjected citizens of Colombia to.

Five decades in war (half a century) sounds like fiction yet is true. During this time, the Latin American country has been fogged up in armed conflict. And the outcome, over half a million people put their lives down. An estimated 8 million victims, 6.9 million displaced the largest anywhere around the world.

Makes Kakuma and Dadaab refugee camps look like nothing to write about. Yet human beings continue living artificial lives. For their anguish, humanity owes them some sympathy and a big responsibility. So for FARC, the length of negotiations with authorities is evident, what perseverance costs!

And endurance needed to return peace.

It is serious especially looking at all the considerations that enticed FARC to sit down and listen. An outcome in each of six major objectives is due. Rural development aimed at rehabilitating village rubbles. Political participation for everyone is guaranteed. That drug cartels will be forced to hell looks good. Rights of war victims will be restored.

There will be peace implementation and monitoring to not slide back to history. Ultimately, an end to the longest civil strife of them all is what we have been waiting for. These are commendable outcomes. Fighters now must throw away their rifles and pursue development.

It is counter-productive now-a-days to try and grab power forcefully. The road to peace now is very clear, pending a few loose ends that should be easier to tie, than revert to animosity. That is why Colombia’s intention to investigate, prosecute and sanction officials who have had a hand in the war should be handled carefully.

All eyes will now be focused at this process to ensure peace prevails, with close monitoring. So that parties to the agreement deliver lasting and meaningful peace. They still have got hard work ̶ plug all loopholes that marred previous talks.

Every party to the peace process must be seen to honour, comply and respect their part of this deal. Then it will bring an end to war in Colombia. It has benefits; equity in enjoyment of resources. Corruption will be in the past.

And people will not be treated like second fiddle citizens. Authorities must forgive all crimes for the sake of peace. Even offenders of serious crime should get amnesty (avoid scratch-opening old wounds). So far, three previous attempts at peace returned nothing ̶ good to remark. So on this occasion, the deal represents something remarkable. And rebels will have confidence of a meaningful and workable agreement.

South Sudan and others ought to follow a similar path. Replacing Riek Machar with a new vice president in the middle of chaos only antagonises rebels, who may opt out of the unity government altogether. It is time for Juba to walk the talk. Open a new chapter for peace.

There is plenty to take home from FARC versus Colombia government.

The writer has an interest in humanitarian development