The MINUGUA transition process: ensuring progress on Guatemala's road to peace.

• Author: Koenigs, Tom
• Position: United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala

With the signing in December 1996 of the Peace Accords, Guatemala embarked on the path of social and political transformation after 36 years of internal conflict.

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The United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala (MINUGUA) was a central player in this Central American nation's peace-building efforts during the last ten years, verifying and supporting the implementation of the agreements signed between the Government and insurgent organizations. During this period, the country has taken important strides forward. But even with the advances in the implementation of the peace accords, which constitute a comprehensive national agenda to guide policy for democratization, development and social justice, it is clear that the peace process will continue to require sustained efforts through the coming years, after the formal closing of MINUGUA on 15 November 2004.

Several years before its mandate would end, the Mission began to analyze the possible effects of its withdrawal from Guatemala and address what could be done during its final years, to lessen the potential impact and to contribute to the long-term consolidation of the peace process. To tackle these challenges, MINUGUA established in 2002 a special Transition Unit, headed by a senior officer reporting directly to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General. This Unit has provided strategic guidance and coordinated key elements of a "transition" programme for the Mission. The transition strategy grew out of the conviction that the long-term success of the Guatemalan peace process depended on Guatemalan institutions, both State and civil society, and their commitment to the peace accords. It has emphasized national capacity-building and sharing the Mission's accumulated experience and know-how with these institutions and organizations that can "make a difference" for peace-building in the future.

The transition programme involved the entire Mission, both at headquarters and in field offices. It required important political and operational changes in at least three main aspects. First, it meant that MINUGUA progressively lower its own political profile and gradually scale back its good offices role, while encouraging Guatemalans to take an increasingly stronger lead in publicly demanding compliance with the peace accords and in resolving conflicts. In addition, it required that staff change their way of thinking about the Mission's work, sharply redefine...