The Entanglements of Peace: Reflections on the Long Road to Transformation in Colombia
Sabine Kurtenbach / Kristina Birke Daniels
The Entanglements of Peace: Reflections on the Long Road to Transformation in Colombia
Country Studies | 2024
Abstract
Colombia’s history is shaped by structural conflicts on land and participation producing armed violence most of all in peripheral and border regions. A comprehensive peace agreement was signed in 2016 with peacebuilding at the local level contingent upon the presence and combinations of structural factors (e.g. illegal economies, armed actors). Notions of peace highlight the importance of peace as respect, justice, and tranquillity. But peacebuilding cannot be reduced to the Peace Agreement and its implementation. The Agreement provides a significant window of opportunity to make meaningful changes whose implementation depends on the political will and the agreement of political actors in Colombia and their international allies.
Recognised as an independent state in 2011, South Sudan is the youngest and poorest country in the world. However, violence and armed conflict have continued, demonstrating how local and national conflicts interact. A Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed in 2018 remains fragile.
In public perception, Cameroon is characterized by two major conflicts: the separatist war of secession and the fight against Boko Haram. However, this study shows that all ten regions are affected by deep-rooted conflicts that require different methods of conflict transformation other than repression and military operations.
Venezuela has been one of the most violent countries without a formal war. Nevertheless, the debate on the multiple crises, focuses on the political regime and not the underlying conflicts. Venezuela provides evidence that a peacebuilding perspective on multiple crises outside of war is fruitful and helps us to understand the main dynamics.
US-Präsident Trump hat nach der Militäraktion in Venezuela weiteren lateinamerikanischen Staaten offen gedroht. Wie gefährlich ist Trumps Lateinamerika-Hinterhof-Politik? Prof. Dr. Sabine Kurtenbach erläutert geopolitische Interessen und Risiken für Venezuela, Kolumbien und Kuba.
After the US intervention in Venezuela, the relation between Gustavo Petro and Donald Trump became tense again. A phone call decreased the crisis but the political risks remain in place.
As a side-event to the 2025 EU-CELAC summit in Colombia, this event brings together European and Latin American academics and stakeholders to discuss the challenges of drug policy and organised crime, which affect both continents.
Violence and armed conflicts in the Philippines are shaped by multiple actors and dynamics. The remnants of the communist guerrilla are active across the islands, the Mindanao secessionist movements signed a peace agreement, private armies and warlords shape the local violent landscapes. Notions of peace are highly diverse.
Frieden ist mehr als die Beendigung von Krieg. Doch was braucht es neben der Reduzierung von Gewalt für gerechten und nachhaltigen Frieden? Das Projekt Peaceptions vom GIGA und der Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung widmet sich dieser Frage.
Recognised as an independent state in 2011, South Sudan is the youngest and poorest country in the world. However, violence and armed conflict have continued, demonstrating how local and national conflicts interact. A Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed in 2018 remains fragile.
In public perception, Cameroon is characterized by two major conflicts: the separatist war of secession and the fight against Boko Haram. However, this study shows that all ten regions are affected by deep-rooted conflicts that require different methods of conflict transformation other than repression and military operations.
Venezuela has been one of the most violent countries without a formal war. Nevertheless, the debate on the multiple crises, focuses on the political regime and not the underlying conflicts. Venezuela provides evidence that a peacebuilding perspective on multiple crises outside of war is fruitful and helps us to understand the main dynamics.
US-Präsident Trump hat nach der Militäraktion in Venezuela weiteren lateinamerikanischen Staaten offen gedroht. Wie gefährlich ist Trumps Lateinamerika-Hinterhof-Politik? Prof. Dr. Sabine Kurtenbach erläutert geopolitische Interessen und Risiken für Venezuela, Kolumbien und Kuba.
After the US intervention in Venezuela, the relation between Gustavo Petro and Donald Trump became tense again. A phone call decreased the crisis but the political risks remain in place.
As a side-event to the 2025 EU-CELAC summit in Colombia, this event brings together European and Latin American academics and stakeholders to discuss the challenges of drug policy and organised crime, which affect both continents.
Violence and armed conflicts in the Philippines are shaped by multiple actors and dynamics. The remnants of the communist guerrilla are active across the islands, the Mindanao secessionist movements signed a peace agreement, private armies and warlords shape the local violent landscapes. Notions of peace are highly diverse.
Frieden ist mehr als die Beendigung von Krieg. Doch was braucht es neben der Reduzierung von Gewalt für gerechten und nachhaltigen Frieden? Das Projekt Peaceptions vom GIGA und der Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung widmet sich dieser Frage.
Recognised as an independent state in 2011, South Sudan is the youngest and poorest country in the world. However, violence and armed conflict have continued, demonstrating how local and national conflicts interact. A Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed in 2018 remains fragile.
In public perception, Cameroon is characterized by two major conflicts: the separatist war of secession and the fight against Boko Haram. However, this study shows that all ten regions are affected by deep-rooted conflicts that require different methods of conflict transformation other than repression and military operations.
Venezuela has been one of the most violent countries without a formal war. Nevertheless, the debate on the multiple crises, focuses on the political regime and not the underlying conflicts. Venezuela provides evidence that a peacebuilding perspective on multiple crises outside of war is fruitful and helps us to understand the main dynamics.
