The mission, requested by both the Colombian government and the FARC, won the unanimous approval of the 15 members of the United Nations Security Council. The operation will officially take off next Sept. 28, once the current mission wraps up, and which in the meantime will take on some of the new responsibilities.
The Security Council's Resolution 2366 calls for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to begin preparations immediately and present detailed recommendations as to the extent and operational aspects of the new mission within 45 days.
The new operation will cover an initial period of 12 months, and will be led by a special representative of the secretary-general. Its main task, according to the United Nations, will be to verify the implementation of the peace treaty with regard to the political, economic and social reintegration of the FARC. It must also check on the personal and collective security of former guerrillas and the functioning of programs for the protection of communities and organizations in territories previously affected by the conflict. In addition, the resolution welcomes the FARC'S final steps in laying its arms, while recognizing the role the current UN mission has played in that process and in verifying the cease-fire.
Members of the Security Council noted yet again Monday their satisfaction at the way Colombia's peace process has progressed, and emphasized their wish to continue supporting it.
Uruguayan Ambassador Elbio Rosselli similarly praised, as an example for all the world, "the Colombian people's commitment to an endless search for peace."
"Seeing the light of peace shine is for us a source of immense satisfaction," he said.