Jean Arnault appointed as head of UN Political Mission in Columbia

Jean Arnault was on 9 March 2016 appointed as the head of United National Political Mission in Columbia. An announcement in this regard was made by the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in New York, the USA.

In his new capacity, Arnault, a French national, will also serve as the Secretary-General’s Special Representative in Colombia.

Before the present elevation, he had been serving as the Delegate of the Secretary-General to the Sub-Commission on End of Conflict Issues within the Colombia peace process.

Earlier, Arnault moderated the peace process in Guatemala before being appointed the head of the verification mission in the country (MINUGUA).

He also worked in senior positions with the UN in Afghanistan, Burundi, Georgia, and was the UN Special Adviser to the Group of Friends of Democratic Pakistan.

United Nations and Colombian Government launched trust fund for peace building needs

Background

The UN Security Council in January 2016 approved setting up of a UN Political Mission in Colombia. The mission would consist of unarmed international observers to monitor disarmament.

It will also assist in finalising a peace agreement between the Government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia—People's Army (FARC-EP).

The FARC-EP is a guerilla movement and at present, the FARC-EP and the Government of Columbia are in peace talks in Havana, Cuba to end the 5 decade long armed conflict in the country.

Jean Arnault, as the Delegate of the UN Secretary General worked closely with the negotiating teams of the Government of Colombia and the FARC-EP.

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