Ceasefire takes effect in Colombia

A ceasefire has come into effect in Colombia between the main leftist rebel group and the government, ending one of the world's longest insurgencies.

The peace agreement was announced on Wednesday in Havana, Cuba at the peace talks.

Farc fighters will ratify the accord in September and a Colombian popular vote on the agreement will follow on 2 October.

Under the terms of the agreement, the Farc (the Spanish acronym for the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) will give up its armed struggle and join the legal political process.

In March Colombia announced the start of peace negotiations with the second largest rebel group, the National Liberation Army (ELN), but the rebels have yet to meet the government's precondition of releasing all of their hostages and stop all kidnapping.

It is historic in that - finally - it brings to an end more than 50 years of conflict which left an estimated 260,000 people dead and millions internally displaced. These milestones are crucial for the Colombian peace process.

The final agreement on ending the 52-year-old war will be signed next month.


SOURCE: BBC News