Department of Sustainable Democracy and Special Missions


Special Missions Section

Through its Special Missions Section, the Department of Democratic Sustainability and Special Missions supports the OAS member states in the prevention, management, and settlement of conflicts, using the mechanisms established by the inter-American system.

 Projects

MAPP - Mission to Support the Peace Process in Colombia

One of the key mandates of the OAS is to strengthen peace.  In February 2004 the Permanent Council, through Resolution 859, created the OAS Mission to Support the Peace Process in Colombia (MAPP/OEA, by its acronym in Spanish). The mission's main objectives are to provide verification and advisory support to Colombia during the process of demobilization and reintegration of illegal armed groups, and to support peace efforts undertaken by Colombian institutions and communities.

In compliance with its mandate, the MAPP/OEA supports the Colombian people in their search for peace and plays a key role in improving the lives of victims of violence and affected communities by fostering peaceful coexistence, recognizing victims' rights, and creating spaces conducive to reconciliation.

Visit www.mapp-oea.org »

OAS Mediation Capacity-Building Project

The Department of Democratic Sustainability and Special Missions has recently undertaken a project to strengthen the Organization's in-house mediation capacity and enhance the role of the OAS in mediation, conflict resolution, and peace-building in the region. The project will, among other things, document lessons learned from past mediation experiences, provide training opportunities to OAS personnel and member states, exchange knowledge and experience with other agencies specialized in mediation and conflict resolution, and develop tools and strategies that contribute to the improvement of OAS efforts in this field.

MIB - OAS Good Offices Mission in Ecuador and Colombia

The incursion of Colombian military forces into Ecuadorian territory on March 1, 2008, led to the immediate activation of the Inter-American system. A special meeting of the OAS Permanent Council was convened, followed by the 25th Meeting of Consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs.   
With the aim of seeking the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between Colombia and Ecuador, the 25th Meeting of Consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs resolved "to instruct the Secretary General to use his good offices to implement a mechanism for observing compliance with this resolution and the restoration of an atmosphere of trust between the two Parties"  [RC.25/Res. 1/08 Rev. 1, resolutive paragraph 7]. These guidelines set by the member states serve as parameters for the duties and actions carried out by the OAS Good Offices Mission in Ecuador and Colombia (MIB/OEA, by its acronym in Spanish).
The specific objectives of the mission's mandate are as follows:

  • To use its good offices to restore an atmosphere of trust between the two parties and to implement a mechanism to observe the fulfillment of the commitments made under Resolution RC.25/Res. 1/08 Rev 1.
  • To propose, promote, and coordinate with the states involved the establishment of specific confidence-building measures.
  • To verify the fulfillment of the commitments made by the states involved, both in the framework of Resolution RC.25/Res. 1/08 Rev 1 and those arising from the confidence-building measures that the parties undertake to implement.