Reintegration – 1992

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Reintegration – 1992

1992

Minimum Implementation Minimal implementation

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).