FARC holds months-long ceasefire

Anti-FARC protesters

flickr- medea_material

Colombia's FARC rebels hold the first truce in more than a decade. The guerillas announced the ceasefire on the first day of negotiations with the Colombian government. 

Negotiations between the two sides, which many hope will end the country's 48-year long conflict, were launched on October 18 in the Norwegian capital, Oslo. The parties have not held peace talks since 2002, when the first attempt at negotiations initiated by the country's former leader Andres Pastrana ended in failure.

As of yet, the ceasefire is unilateral, with the Colombian government refusing to lay down its arms out of fear the rebels will re-arm. 

The talks are expected to focus on five key areas including the end of the armed conflict, land reform and guarantees for the exercise of political opposition and citizen participation. Drug trafficking and the rights of the victims of the conflict will also be discussed.