FOES CROSS A BRIDGE TOO FAR
AFTER HALF- A- CENTURY OF CONFLICT THAT KILLED AN ESTIMATED 220,000 PEOPLE AND DISPLACED 5 MILLION, THE REVOLUTIONARY ARMED FORCES OF COLOMBIA ( FARC) AND THE COLOMBIAN GOVERNMENT HAVE SIGNED A FULL PEACE ACCORD
KEY POINTS OF THE DEAL
CEASEFIRE AND DISARMAMENT
A bilateral ceasefire took effect on August 29
FARC must move its 7,500 fighters from jungle and mountain hideouts into disarmament zones set up by the UN
The rebels have 180 days from the signing of the deal to fully disarm
JUSTICE FOR VICTIMS
The two sides announced a deal in Dec 2015 to create special courts to judge crimes committed during the conflict
Amnesty will be granted for political crimes but will not cover the worst atrocities
Those responsible for such crimes will face up to 20 years in prison
DRUG TRAFFICKING
In May 2014, FARC agreed to stop drug production in areas under its control
The government pledged to help farmers earn a living without growing illicit crops
But Colombia will continue its crackdown on drug traffickers
REBELS IN POLITICS
FARC will temporarily be allocated 10 seats in the 268- member Congress
Once the rebels lay down arms, the government has pledged to provide security to prevent reprisal attacks by remnants of right- wing paramilitary groups that fought them in the 1980s and 1990s
LAND REFORM
In May 2013, the two sides signed a deal to provide land, loans and basic services to impoverished rural communities
Millions of dollars in financing will be needed to implement it
RATIFYING THE ACCORD
The final deal will now be put to a referendum on October 2
It will only take effect if the ‘ Yes’ camp wins a majority and gathers, at least, 4.4 million votes
When you begin your return to society ... As head of state of the homeland that we all love, I welcome you to democracy — Juan Manuel Santos,
Colombian President In the name of FARC, I sincerely apologise to all the victims of the conflict for any pain we may have caused during this war — Timoleón Jiménez,
FARC leader