Reintegration: Chapultepec Peace Agreement

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Reintegration: Chapultepec Peace Agreement

Implementations

Reintegration – 1992

The FAES began reducing its armed forces on schedule, releasing most ex-combatants into civilian life, but transferring some to non-military service, which was not in strict compliance with the peace agreement.1 The FMLN refused to meet the initial benchmark of reintegrating 20% of its ex-combatants by 1 May 1992, citing as justification failures to facilitate the process on part of the Government of El Salvador.2 The Parties subsequently reached a negotiated agreement to begin the reintegration of former FMLN combatants to civilian life by 30 June 1992 and finish by 31 October 1992, to propose legislation to facilitate the legalization of the FMLN as a political party by 30 June 1992, and to finalize programs to reintegrate former FMLN combatants into civilian life by 15 July 1992.3 The first 20% of FMLN ex-combatants were indeed demobilized by 30 June 1992, restarting its reintegration process.4

However, the whole Disarmament-Demobilization-Reintegration (DDR) process was then stalled for a period of several months because of grievances stemming from the failure of the Government of El Salvador to abolish the Treasury Police and National Guard as promised and the Government’s involvement in illicit evictions of peasants from farms in disputed territories. The office of the Secretary-General intervened and convinced the parties to set 15 December 1992 as the new date by which the FMLN would be fully demobilized and reintegrated and the FAES would be fully purified, thus constituting the formal end of the armed conflict.5 The FAES also disbanded two immediate reaction infantry battalions by November 1992, and after the negotiations agreed to disband a third by 8 December 1992.6 The fourth contingent of FMLN ex-combatants was demobilized after further delays, but the fifth and final contingent was disbanded on time. The FMLN was ultimately legalized as a political party on 14 December 1992, in coordination with the completion of the DDR process and formal cessation of armed conflict on 15 December 1992.7

On 23 January 1992, the Legislative Assembly of El Salvador granted a general amnesty for those responsible for political crimes and offenses through a law on national reconciliation. Notable exceptions are offenses within the purview of the Commission on the Truth and individuals who were already convicted by a jury. The national reconciliation law enabled FMLN leaders to reintegrate into society, and those who joined COPAZ, among others, formally pledged allegiance to the Constitution of El Salvador. The Government provided security for former FMLN combatants and the FMLN formally began the process of becoming a political party on 30 July 1992. Full recognition as a party was delayed by the delays in the DDR process as a whole.8

  1. “Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Observer Mission in El Salvador,” United Nations Security Council (S/24833), November 23, 1992.
  2. “Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Observer Mission in El Salvador,” United Nations Security Council (S/23999), May 26, 1992.
  3. “Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Observer Mission in El Salvador,” United Nations Security Council (S/23999/Add.1), June 16, 1992.
  4. United Nations Security Council, (S/24833).
  5. “Letter Dated 11 November 1992 from the Secretary-General Addressed to the President of the Security Council,” United Nations Security Council (S/24805), November 13, 1992.
  6. United Nations Security Council, (S/24833).
  7. “Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Observer Mission in El Salvador (ONUSAL),” United Nations Security Council (S/25006), December 23, 1992.
  8. United Nations Security Council, (S/23999); United Nations Security Council, (S/24833).

Reintegration – 1993

On 4 February 1993, the parties agreed upon a program to reintegrate former officers and middle-rank commanders of the FMLN. The plan included training, subsistence allowances, and access to credit for 600 ex-combatants.1 The programs lacked a comprehensive, coordinated strategy, however. This resulted in synchronization problems and repeated mistakes in multiple programs.2

  1. “Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Observer Mission in El Salvador,” United Nations Security Council (S/25812), May 21, 1993.
  2. “Further Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Observer Mission in El Salvador,” United Nations Security Council (S/26790), November 23, 1993.

Reintegration – 1994

UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali strenuously impressed upon the Government of El Salvador to finally phase out the National Police, complete the reintegration process and institute the constitutional reforms recommended by the Commission on the Truth. Despite multiple appeals, President Cristiani and the Government remained reluctant to move on these issues.1

The reintegration of ex-combatants was slowed by credit deficiencies and ineffective technical assistance programs.2

  1. “Letter Dated 28 March from the Secretary-General Addressed to the President of the Security Council,” United Nations Security Council (S/1994/361), March 30, 1994.
  2. “Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Observer Mission in El Salvador,” United Nations Security Council (S/1994/561), May 11, 1994.

Reintegration – 1995

Deficiencies in credit availability persisted, with former FAES combatants being affected more than former FMLN combatants. The Fund for the Protection of the Wounded and War-Disabled as a Consequence of Armed Conflict was particularly hampered by administrative delays and a lack of resources.1

  1. “Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Observer Mission in El Salvador,” United Nations Security Council (S/1995/220), March 24, 1995.

Reintegration – 1996

In the words of the Secretary-General in the last MINUSAL report, “The quantifiable targets for the reintegration programmes have been largely achieved.”1

  1. “Mission of the United Nations in El Salvador: Report of the Secretary-General,” United Nations General Assembly (A/50/935), April 23, 1996, Pg. 6, Para. 23.

Reintegration – 1997

Former combatants had been reintegrated, and only some support programs remained to be implemented. The Fund for the Protection of the Wounded and War-Disabled was resistant to providing information, making verification of its operations difficult. As of April 1997, the Fund owed back payment for pensions dispersed to over 4,000 relatives of combatants killed during the conflict. A large number of relatives were turned down for benefits because they lacked proper legal documentation. The Legislative Assembly made weak moves to allow special documentation to substitute for what the Fund had been requiring.1

  1. “Assessment of the Peace Process in El Salvador: Report of the Secretary General,” United Nations General Assembly (A/51/517), July 1, 1997.

Reintegration – 1998

Outstanding issues preventing the completion of the programs for land transfer, human settlement transfer and assistance for the wounded and war-disabled were not resolved as of the conclusion of official UN observation on 30 June 1998.1

  1. “Letter Dated 7 August 1998 from the Secretary-General Addressed to the President of the General Assembly,” United Nations General Assembly (A/52/1008), September 24, 1998.

Reintegration – 1999

The reintegration of ex-combatants was achieved. Nevertheless, tens of thousands of demobilized ex-combatants were yet unemployed with no other sources of income.1

  1. “El Salvador: Swapping arms for staple goods,” Inter-Press Service, April 27, 1999.

Reintegration – 2000

Reintegration of ex-combatants back to civilian life was achieved. Nevertheless, many of them remained unemployed.

Reintegration – 2001

No further developments observed.