SW News: The National Liberation Army (ELN) and the Colombian government agreed to a six-month ceasefire in June. The agreement is now in place with a focus to find a durable solution.

More than 5,000 armed guerillas make up the ranks of ELN. They have attacked oil pipelines, concentrated on kidnappings, and committed bombings and shootings. It dates back to 1964, the same year as the establishment of the larger FARC or Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. The FARC made peace with the government in 2016 and has since evolved into a political party. The ELN is yet to do so.

President of Colombia Gustavo Petro is pleading with all parties to recognize the significance of a once-in-a-lifetime chance for understanding and peace. At a meeting of the National Participation Committee, which was only formed in June, he did this. Everyone, he claimed, wants to change Colombian society. It is a component of his expansive Total Peace Plan, which also calls for the eradication and dissolution of the drug cartels.

As many as 68 foreign observers are being dispatched by the UN to observe the truce nationally. A nation that has grown weary of the destructive long-term conflict is hoping that a grain of common sense that is beginning to germinate will produce a harvest of peace. More than 260 000 lives have been lost as a result of all this.

Meanwhile, ELN and the Colombian government were congratulated on the beginning of their bilateral ceasefire, which went into effect on Thursday, according to a statement from UN Secretary-General António Guterres' office.

The parties may dramatically reduce violence while building confidence at the negotiating table if they abide by the ceasefire in good faith and with a determination to lessen the suffering of civilians.

The National Participation Committee, which was established in conjunction with the ceasefire, was also praised by the Secretary-General.