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    Deep in the highlands of Guatemala in the small village of Pixabaj, Andres Julaju Cojtin has begun a new life as a farmer. After 15 years of fighting on the side of the guerilla movement known as the Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatelmalteca (URNG), Andres is benefiting from an income-generating project for former combatants.The peace agreement in December 1996 between the Government and URNG ended Guatemala’s devastating 36-year-long conflict, which claimed more than 200,000 lives. But the fighting has left deep rifts in Guatemalan society. Like many others, Andres’ family was torn apart when he fought on the side of the URNG and his brother worked for military intelligence. Four years after the fighting stopped, the two brothers still do not speak. Demobilizing former soldiers and helping them adapt to civilian life is a key part of UN’s work for peace. A United Nations mission, known as the UN Verification Mission in Guatemala (MINUGUA), verifies compliance by both sides, including the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of former combatants like Andres. The goal is to make sure old enemies take peace treaties seriously, promote stability and address the root causes of conflict. Reintegration programmes focus on employment, vocational training and education. So far more than 5,500 former URNG combatants — the majority of them indigenous people — have returned to their hometowns. Others, either for security reasons or, because they have no family to return to after the long war, have been resettled in three communities. Many of these men and women are now trying to support themselves by farming. They raise livestock, grow pineapples and mangos and produce honey. The reintegration projects are coordinated by MINUGUA and funded mainly by the European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO). The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is providing support along with USAID and the Organization of American States (OAS). Although Andres still sees many problems in Guatemala, with widespread poverty and discrimination against indigenous people, he is happy that his life is no longer dangerous and is optimistic about the future for his son. "Now, when we fight, we use words and not arms," he says with a smile. FIND OUT MORE about how UN peacekeeping works and about UN programmes to resettle soldiers into civilian life. Click on the links next to Andres. ADDITIONAL PEACE STORIES: A star shoots for peace Marie helps build peace | Zamira feels safer Photo credit: Mischa Prince |
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