Topic: Situation in Cote d'Ivoire
Country: Lebanon
Delegate Name: John Cotton
School: Forest Hills Eastern High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Lebanon position papers GLIMUN 2010 committees
The Republic of Lebanon recognizes the difficult hardships and conflicts that the Ivorians have faced over the past ten years. Lebanon has had similar hardships within our own country so we can understand the situation in Cote d’Ivoire. The Republic of Lebanon has seen fighting, violence, and rebellion within its borders within the past ten years also. Any country that has had civil war or national conflict within its own borders can understand and sympathize with Cote d’Ivoire. Cote d’Ivoire has come a long way from a failed coup in 2002 and now are looking forward to gaining peace and stability following the November 2010 presidential election. The violent conflict has ceased tremendously and a peace accord has been signed between Cote d’Ivoire and rebel group called the New Forces. The peace accord was signed in 2007 and since then Cote d’Ivoire has named the leader of the New Forces rebel group the Prime Minister. The current 2010 presidential elections in Cote d’Ivoire is a historic milestone for them. The Republic of Lebanon recognizes the story in Cote d’Ivoire as an ongoing success and looks to see continued progression with the help of United Nations Operation in Cote d’Ivoire. The operation has been underway since April of 2004 and should continue. Cote d’Ivoire should remain a priority for the Security Council because the country will continue its peaceful development into a stable state with the help of the United Nations.
The Republic of Lebanon believes the Cote d’Ivoire major conflict has ceased and that the Ivorians are making strong progress. The Republic of Lebanon anticipates Cote d’Ivoire to continue its progress with the help of the United Nations. The United Nations Operation in Cote d’Ivoire has been a significant contributor to the Ivorian success. UNOCI as of October 31 of 2010 has 9,080 United Nations personnel including 7,572 troops, 192 military observers, 1,316 military police, 389 international civilian personnel, 736 local staff, and 267 United Nations volunteers deployed in Cote d’Ivoire. Lebanon believes those personnel levels should remain at consistent until 2011. In 2012 the United Nations can look to begin to slowly withdraw personnel from Cote d’Ivoire. UNOCI personnel were crucial for maintaining peace during the first round of the presidential elections. Following the final presidential election between Ouattara and Gbagbo, Cote d’Ivoire should experience stabilization of their state and the United Nations must remain present in order to assure this stabilization.
All nations should be in favor of extending UNOCI until the final round of the presidential elections has ended. With only one more month before the end of the year UNOCI should maintain their reputable presence in Cote d’Ivoire to assure peace and stability. The Republic of Lebanon would like to thank all UNOCI personnel who have aided in the repair and restoration of peace in Cote d’Ivoire. The Republic of Lebanon has had its own civil conflict and can understand and appreciate the United Nations aid.
The Republic of Lebanon would like to urge any country that is thinking about or supporting the idea of termination UNOCI to reconsider. UNOCI has played a crucial role in the recovery in Cote d’Ivoire and will remain to do so. Considering the upcoming final round of the presidential election now is an imperative time to have United Nations personnel on the ground to prevent any outbreaks of violence or chaos. The Republic of Lebanon believes following the presidential election we may look to give Cote d’Ivoire its full independence again.
