Declaración del Proceso para la Desmovilización del autodenominado Ejército Gaitanista de Colombia

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Country/entity: Colombia
Region: Americas
Agreement name: Declaración del Proceso para la Desmovilización del autodenominado Ejército Gaitanista de Colombia
Date: 18 Sep 2025
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/intrastate conflict
Colombian Conflict (1964 - )
The Colombian conflict is really a set of conflicts and the peace agreements reflect both different processes relating to different conflict groups and dyads, and processes taking place at different times in a complex peace process history. The Colombian civil war has its roots in the late 1940s and the violent infighting between liberal and the conservative factions. Emerging from the liberal tradition with a thorough grounding in nationalist communist ideology, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia—People's Army (FARC) began its armed insurrection against the Colombian government in 1964. Other left-wing guerrillas emerged as well, most notably the socialist/populist M-19, which would later be integrated into the formal political system in the peace process of 1990s; the National Liberation Army (ELN), which has strong roots in liberation theology, and the Maoist Ejército Popular de Liberación (EPL) (also part of the 1990 process, less successfully). Several stages of peace processes were undertaken by the various sides, which were further complicated by the emergence of right-wing paramilitary ‘self-defence’ forces. The peace agreement between the Colombian government under President Uribe and the main alliance of the paramilitary groups, the United Self-Defence Forces of Colombia (AUC), concluded in 2005 and is still heavily disputed as several remnants are still active, but now subsumed under the heading ‘Bacrim’ (Bandas criminales). In addition, FARC and ELN maintain a military presence, but both demonstrate a strong interest in completing successful peace negotiations with the government, with the most recent agreements being between FARC and the Government.
Stage: Pre-negotiation/process
Conflict nature: Government/territory
Peace process: Colombia VII - Petro Peace Dialogues with the Autodefensas Gaitanistas de Colombia
Parties: For the National Government:

Álvaro Jiménez Millán
Armando Custodio Wouriyu Valbuena
Agueda Plata Gómez
OCCP Technical Team:
Giorgio Londoño Medina (OCCP Technical Team)
Third parties: Observers (Military and Police):

Navy Captain Marlon Fernando Cabrera (Military Observer)
Lieutenant Colonel Camilo Andrés Medina (Police Observer)

Facilitators:

Joyany de Jésus Marín Zapata
Abimael Coneo Martínez
Wilton Martínez Blandón

Lawyers:

Ricardo Andrés Giraldo Cifuentes
Enrique del Rio González
Description: This declaration formally launches the "Socio-Legal Conversation Space" between the Colombian National Government and the self-proclaimed Gaitanista Army of Colombia (a)EGC, signed in Doha, Qatar. It designates five municipalities in Antioquia and Chocó as pilot areas for confidence-building measures including illicit crop substitution, child protection, environmental regulation, migration management, and justice sector presence. At the national level, the (a)EGC commits to respecting electoral processes and IHL, while both parties agree to request international monitoring and to continue talks in Qatar.

Agreement document: CO_250918_Declaración del Proceso para la Desmovilización del autodenominado Ejército Gaitanista de Colombia_EN (opens in new tab) | Download PDF
Agreement document (original language): CO_250918_Declaración del Proceso para la Desmovilización del autodenominado Ejército Gaitanista de Colombia (opens in new tab)| Download PDF
Source of document: https://www.presidencia.gov.co/Documents/250919-Declaracion-proceso-desmovilizacion-EGC-construccion-paz.pdf

Groups

Children/youth: Groups→Children/youth→Rhetorical
We define children and adolescents (NNA) as the foundation for peacebuilding.
Therefore, the armed group reiterates its commitment to respecting their rights.
Groups→Children/youth→Substantive
Nonetheless, the group will conduct a new census among its members to verify the situation, and, should any cases be identified, they will be placed under the care of the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare (ICBF) for the restoration of their rights.
Disabled persons: No specific mention.
Elderly/age: No specific mention.
Migrant workers: Groups→Migrant workers→Substantive
Regarding the persistence of irregular migration in the five municipalities, a working group will be formed under the leadership of Migración Colombia, aimed at discouraging illegal activities that affect the rights of migrants and the sovereignty of the State.
Racial/ethnic/national group: Groups→Racial/ethnic/national group→Rhetorical
For each of the aforementioned aspects, working groups will be created with the participation of community members, as well as local, regional and ethnic authorities.
Religious groups: No specific mention.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: No specific mention.
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: No specific mention.
Men and boys: No specific mention.
LGBTI: No specific mention.
Family: Nonetheless, the group will conduct a new census among its members to verify the situation, and, should any cases be identified, they will be placed under the care of the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare (ICBF) for the restoration of their rights.
...
At the national level:
...
This mechanism will operate under the principles of impartiality and independence and will give due consideration to all victims of such violations, including members of the (a)EGC, State agents, civilians and, where appropriate, their immediate family members, in accordance with applicable international and national legal standards.

State definition

Nature of state (general): No specific mention.
State configuration: No specific mention.
Self determination: No specific mention.
Referendum: No specific mention.
State symbols: No specific mention.
Independence/secession: No specific mention.
Accession/unification: No specific mention.
Border delimitation: No specific mention.
Cross-border provision: No specific mention.

Governance

Political institutions (new or reformed): No specific mention.
Elections: No specific mention.
Electoral commission: No specific mention.
Political parties reform: No specific mention.
Civil society: For each of the aforementioned aspects, working groups will be created with the participation of community members, as well as local, regional and ethnic authorities.
Traditional/religious leaders: No specific mention.
Public administration: In the five municipalities, the National Government, through the Ministry of Justice and Law, will deploy, in coordination with the judiciary and the competent administrative authorities, a permanent presence adapted to the social, historical, economic, cultural and political characteristics of each territory, with the aim of strengthening them.
Constitution: No specific mention.

Power sharing

Political power sharing: No specific mention.
Territorial power sharing: No specific mention.
Economic power sharing: No specific mention.
Military power sharing: No specific mention.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: The National Government, through the ICBF, will lead a coordination plan to address rights deficits and to develop safe environments.
...
At the national level:
...
A joint request will be submitted for the Attorney General's Office, in full exercise of its constitutional and legal autonomy, to establish a special mechanism for prioritising cases of alleged violations of IHL.
This mechanism will operate under the principles of impartiality and independence and will give due consideration to all victims of such violations, including members of the (a)EGC, State agents, civilians and, where appropriate, their immediate family members, in accordance with applicable international and national legal standards.
The (a)EGC will continue its commitment to promote, respect and ensure that its members comply with the principles of International Humanitarian Law—distinction, humanity, proportionality and precaution—and with International Human Rights Law.
...
The national government takes note that the (a)EGC rejects being characterised as a paramilitary or neo-paramilitary group and reiterates that the legal classification of the (a)EGC will be determined in accordance with international and Colombian law and transitional justice mechanisms.
Bill of rights/similar: No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation: At the national level:
...
The (a)EGC undertakes not to interfere in the Comprehensive Action Against Anti-Personnel Mines, in accordance with the rules of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and the Ottawa Treaty.
Civil and political rights: No specific mention.
Socio-economic rights: No specific mention.

Rights related issues

Citizenship: No specific mention.
Democracy: No specific mention.
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: Rights related issues→Media and communication→Media roles
A pedagogical strategy aimed at its members, with an ethnic, population, differential, and territorial focus, will be defined in conjunction with the (a)EGC.
For this purpose, the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Defence will develop educational actions with the communities to ensure social appropriation of this code.
At the national level:
...
Likewise, it will carry out educational campaigns among its members to promote respect for free elections.
Mobility/access: No specific mention.
Protection measures: Rights related issues→Protection measures→Protection of civilians
The security, non-stigmatisation and protection of those participating in these events will be the responsibility of the State, which shall be verified by the mechanisms adopted in the implementation of these commitments.
...
At the national level:
...
The national government and the (a)EGC undertake to avoid practices such as perfidy that endanger the civilian population or undermine confidence in public and private services.
Other: No specific mention.

Rights institutions

NHRI: No specific mention.
Regional or international human rights institutions: No specific mention.

Justice sector reform

Criminal justice and emergency law: No specific mention.
State of emergency provisions: No specific mention.
Judiciary and courts: No specific mention.
Prisons and detention: No specific mention.
Traditional Laws: No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: No specific mention.
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: No specific mention.
Business: No specific mention.
Taxation: No specific mention.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: Land, property and environment→Land reform/rights→Land reform and management
The implementation of a pilot pedagogy programme for the total substitution of illicit-use crops in the five municipalities is established, taking into account voluntary participation, technical assistance and alternative livelihoods.
...
For the implementation of national and international environmental laws, a working group will be established under the leadership of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MADS) to address issues of watershed protection, timber harvesting, wildlife, the impacts of mining and the expansion of the agricultural frontier.
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: No specific mention.
Cultural heritage: No specific mention.
Environment: For the implementation of national and international environmental laws, a working group will be established under the leadership of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MADS) to address issues of watershed protection, timber harvesting, wildlife, the impacts of mining and the expansion of the agricultural frontier.
Water or riparian rights or access: For the implementation of national and international environmental laws, a working group will be established under the leadership of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MADS) to address issues of watershed protection, timber harvesting, wildlife, the impacts of mining and the expansion of the agricultural frontier.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: The security, non-stigmatisation and protection of those participating in these events will be the responsibility of the State, which shall be verified by the mechanisms adopted in the implementation of these commitments.
...
At the national level:
The (a)EGC reaffirms its commitment to respect and not interfere in the conduct of political and electoral processes.
Likewise, it will carry out educational campaigns among its members to promote respect for free elections.
In addition, it will maintain respect for and access to State institutions, without interference, in the work they carry out for the benefit of the civilian population.
The (a)EGC undertakes not to interfere in the Comprehensive Action Against Anti-Personnel Mines, in accordance with the rules of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and the Ottawa Treaty.
...
The national government and the (a)EGC undertake to avoid practices such as perfidy that endanger the civilian population or undermine confidence in public and private services.
Ceasefire: No specific mention.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: No specific mention.
DDR: Security sector→DDR→Demilitarisation provisions
At the national level:
...
The (a)EGC undertakes not to interfere in the Comprehensive Action Against Anti-Personnel Mines, in accordance with the rules of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and the Ottawa Treaty.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: Without prejudice to the legal status of the (a)EGC as a non-State armed group, a non-member spokesperson, delegated by the (a)EGC for these municipalities, will participate, and differential/population-based approaches will always be taken into account.
...
At the national level:
The (a)EGC reaffirms its commitment to respect and not interfere in the conduct of political and electoral processes.
Likewise, it will carry out educational campaigns among its members to promote respect for free elections.
In addition, it will maintain respect for and access to State institutions, without interference, in the work they carry out for the benefit of the civilian population.
The (a)EGC undertakes not to interfere in the Comprehensive Action Against Anti-Personnel Mines, in accordance with the rules of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and the Ottawa Treaty.
...
This mechanism will operate under the principles of impartiality and independence and will give due consideration to all victims of such violations, including members of the (a)EGC, State agents, civilians and, where appropriate, their immediate family members, in accordance with applicable international and national legal standards.
The (a)EGC will continue its commitment to promote, respect and ensure that its members comply with the principles of International Humanitarian Law—distinction, humanity, proportionality and precaution—and with International Human Rights Law.
The national government and the (a)EGC undertake to avoid practices such as perfidy that endanger the civilian population or undermine confidence in public and private services.
The national government takes note that the (a)EGC rejects being characterised as a paramilitary or neo-paramilitary group and reiterates that the legal classification of the (a)EGC will be determined in accordance with international and Colombian law and transitional justice mechanisms.
Withdrawal of foreign forces: No specific mention.
Corruption: No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime: No specific mention.
Drugs: The implementation of a pilot pedagogy programme for the total substitution of illicit-use crops in the five municipalities is established, taking into account voluntary participation, technical assistance and alternative livelihoods.
To this end, a working group will be formed under the leadership of the Directorate for the Substitution of Illicit Crops (DSCI).
Terrorism: No specific mention.

Transitional justice

Transitional justice general: No specific mention.
Amnesty/pardon: No specific mention.
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: At the national level:
...
A joint request will be submitted for the Attorney General's Office, in full exercise of its constitutional and legal autonomy, to establish a special mechanism for prioritising cases of alleged violations of IHL.
This mechanism will operate under the principles of impartiality and independence and will give due consideration to all victims of such violations, including members of the (a)EGC, State agents, civilians and, where appropriate, their immediate family members, in accordance with applicable international and national legal standards.
...
The national government takes note that the (a)EGC rejects being characterised as a paramilitary or neo-paramilitary group and reiterates that the legal classification of the (a)EGC will be determined in accordance with international and Colombian law and transitional justice mechanisms.
Prisoner release: No specific mention.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: At the national level:
...
This mechanism will operate under the principles of impartiality and independence and will give due consideration to all victims of such violations, including members of the (a)EGC, State agents, civilians and, where appropriate, their immediate family members, in accordance with applicable international and national legal standards.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: No specific mention.

Implementation

UN signatory: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: No specific mention.
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: At the national level:
...
We agree to request the Government of Qatar, the Mission to Support the Peace Process in Colombia of the Organisation of American States (MAPP/OAS), the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Episcopal Conference of Colombia (CEC) to carry out the follow-up, monitoring and verification of what is described herein.
Enforcement mechanism: No specific mention.

Declaration of the Process for the Demobilisation of the self-proclaimed Gaitanista Army of Colombia (a)EGC and Peacebuilding with the people in the territories.

The working groups for the Socio-Legal Conversation Space, meeting in the city of Doha, State of Qatar, formally began discussions on what we have agreed to call:

"Process for the Demobilisation of the self-proclaimed Gaitanista Army of Colombia (a)EGC and Peacebuilding with the people in the territories".

We have defined the municipalities of Mutatá (Antioquia), Acandí, Belén de Bajirá, Ríosucio and Unguía (Chocó) as the area for implementing pilot actions that will allow the development of the confidence-building stage.

We define children and adolescents (NNA) as the foundation for peacebuilding.

Therefore, the armed group reiterates its commitment to respecting their rights.

Nonetheless, the group will conduct a new census among its members to verify the situation, and, should any cases be identified, they will be placed under the care of the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare (ICBF) for the restoration of their rights.

The National Government, through the ICBF, will lead a coordination plan to address rights deficits and to develop safe environments.

The implementation of a pilot pedagogy programme for the total substitution of illicit-use crops in the five municipalities is established, taking into account voluntary participation, technical assistance and alternative livelihoods.

To this end, a working group will be formed under the leadership of the Directorate for the Substitution of Illicit Crops (DSCI).

Regarding the persistence of irregular migration in the five municipalities, a working group will be formed under the leadership of Migración Colombia, aimed at discouraging illegal activities that affect the rights of migrants and the sovereignty of the State.

For the implementation of national and international environmental laws, a working group will be established under the leadership of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MADS) to address issues of watershed protection, timber harvesting, wildlife, the impacts of mining and the expansion of the agricultural frontier.

In the five municipalities, the National Government, through the Ministry of Justice and Law, will deploy, in coordination with the judiciary and the competent administrative authorities, a permanent presence adapted to the social, historical, economic, cultural and political characteristics of each territory, with the aim of strengthening them.

For each of the aforementioned aspects, working groups will be created with the participation of community members, as well as local, regional and ethnic authorities.

Without prejudice to the legal status of the (a)EGC as a non-State armed group, a non-member spokesperson, delegated by the (a)EGC for these municipalities, will participate, and differential/population-based approaches will always be taken into account.

The security, non-stigmatisation and protection of those participating in these events will be the responsibility of the State, which shall be verified by the mechanisms adopted in the implementation of these commitments.

The National Code of Coexistence and Citizen Security will be the instrument governing all aspects of social life in these municipalities.

A pedagogical strategy aimed at its members, with an ethnic, population, differential, and territorial focus, will be defined in conjunction with the (a)EGC.

For this purpose, the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Defence will develop educational actions with the communities to ensure social appropriation of this code.

At the national level:

The (a)EGC reaffirms its commitment to respect and not interfere in the conduct of political and electoral processes.

Likewise, it will carry out educational campaigns among its members to promote respect for free elections.

In addition, it will maintain respect for and access to State institutions, without interference, in the work they carry out for the benefit of the civilian population.

The (a)EGC undertakes not to interfere in the Comprehensive Action Against Anti-Personnel Mines, in accordance with the rules of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and the Ottawa Treaty.

A joint request will be submitted for the Attorney General's Office, in full exercise of its constitutional and legal autonomy, to establish a special mechanism for prioritising cases of alleged violations of IHL.

This mechanism will operate under the principles of impartiality and independence and will give due consideration to all victims of such violations, including members of the (a)EGC, State agents, civilians and, where appropriate, their immediate family members, in accordance with applicable international and national legal standards.

The (a)EGC will continue its commitment to promote, respect and ensure that its members comply with the principles of International Humanitarian Law—distinction, humanity, proportionality and precaution—and with International Human Rights Law.

The national government and the (a)EGC undertake to avoid practices such as perfidy that endanger the civilian population or undermine confidence in public and private services.

The national government takes note that the (a)EGC rejects being characterised as a paramilitary or neo-paramilitary group and reiterates that the legal classification of the (a)EGC will be determined in accordance with international and Colombian law and transitional justice mechanisms.

We agree to request the Government of Qatar, the Mission to Support the Peace Process in Colombia of the Organisation of American States (MAPP/OAS), the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Episcopal Conference of Colombia (CEC) to carry out the follow-up, monitoring and verification of what is described herein.

To this end, efforts will be made to provide financial, technical, academic, and logistical support.

It was agreed to request that the United Nations Security Council accompany this process.

This request should be made through the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The working groups acknowledge and highlight the ongoing, constructive and committed contribution of the State of Qatar and the designated mediation team for facilitating all the necessary conditions that have enabled progress to be made in the process.

With the support of the Government of Qatar, the working groups have agreed to hold consultations and educational activities.

They have also committed to setting a new date to continue talks in Qatar.

The agendas, dates and composition of the delegations will remain confidential, thus ensuring the integrity of the dialogue process.

Doha, Qatar, September 18, 2025.

Signed by:

For the National Government:

Álvaro Jiménez Millán

Armando Custodio Wouriyu Valbuena

Agueda Plata Gómez

OCCP Technical Team

Giorgio Londoño Medina

Observers:

The following participated as military and police observers:

Navy Captain Marlon Fernando Cabrera (Military Observer) and

Lieutenant Colonel Camilo Andrés Medina (Police Observer).

For the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the (a)EGC:

Luis Armando Pérez Castañeda

Facilitators

Joyany de Jésus Marín Zapata, Facilitator

Abimael Coneo Martínez, Facilitator

Wilton Martínez Blandón, Facilitators

Lawyers:

Ricardo Andrés Giraldo Cifuentes, Enrique del Rio González