Topic:
Country: Argentina
Delegate Name: Andrew Shier
Country: Argentina
Delegate: Andrew Shier
School: Forest Hills Central High School
Committee: SPECPOL
Topic: Situation in the Central African Republic
Situation in the Central African Republic
Until the final communique is sent out of Buenos Aires, and a final law drafted, the nation of Argentina will always support the world’s striving towards a more peaceful, democratic, independent world. The Argentine Republic is deeply concerned with the ongoing crisis in the Central African Republic and feels deeply for the millions suffering under the yoke of war, crime, and poverty. Argentina is horrified to report that more than just a civil war is ongoing, but a ruthless, self-reinforcing cycle of sectarian violence, poverty, and retribution is plaguing the nation. Political violence begets political violence, and we have sadly watched this unfold in the CAR, hopelessly unable to stop it. From the overthrow of the democratically elected François Bozizé in 2004 to the fraudulent elections and resulting civil war of 2012, the legacy of colonialism and the dangers of democratic backsliding are clear. Now, despite many attempts at peace, and multiple formations and reformations of various combat groups, the civil war and sectarian violence in the nation are still ongoing. However, it would be a dangerous mistake to assume that this is a political war. In some ways, it certainly is, with ex-Seleka and anti-Balaka forces both advocating for different ways of governing the country, however, the unacceptably high levels of violence in the CAR that have left almost 2.29 million without food, and a further 1.4 million as refugees is a result of Christian-Muslim sectarian violence (1). Though anti-Balaka began the cycle of sectarian violence, targeting Muslim civilians in retribution for Seleka’s conquest of Bangui, the Seleka forces soon retaliated, targeting Christian communities and civilians, plunging the nation into a seemingly irreversible cycle of retributive violence. This is absolutely unacceptable and must be stopped (2).
Argentina has always stood firmly against unnecessary violence, especially deliberate attacks against civilians and any violence that targets specific religious or ethnic groups. Argentina has supported the utilization of European and western organizations and NGOs, as in UNSC Resolution 2134, to mitigate the damage of the conflict on the civilian population. It has endorsed the use of BINUCA to expedite the election process and to be the main enforcing entity of the United Nations policy in the Central African Republic, and as such now supports MINUSCA as the umbrella organization to make decisions for UN policy on the subject. Additionally, Argentina has supported the authority of the overarching state in the operations of the United Nations and believes strongly that one faction not be given primacy over another. Finally, Argentina has supported an arms embargo with the Central African Republic, so that weapons used to prolong the conflict are not being actively trafficked.
In any resolution passed by the body, Argentina would like to see a concerted United Nations effort, headed by MINUSCA, to end the war with as few civilian deaths as is possible. Argentina would like to see the body condemn any nation that would try to align themselves with one faction or the other and as such sacrifice the neutral integrity of the United Nations as a peacekeeping force. Argentina stresses the composition of an elite police force, along with forensic government efforts, impermeable to corruption. This would scale back the culture of impunity that has engendered much of this conflict, and ensure that any criminals of war or guilty parties complicit with murder, bribery, terrorism, or any other malfeasance, would be held accountable to face justice. Argentina supports the use of NGOs to head humanitarian efforts and to provide aid to the suffering people of the nation at war with itself. Argentina supports the enactment of a total arms embargo, observed by all member nations, to limit the flow of arms into the Central African Republic. Finally, Argentina calls for the action of the European Union to be a proactive part of any solution in the area. Argentina understands that the above solutions cannot be the complete and comprehensive solution to the issue, and so will be open and excited to hear the input of other nations, and the introduction of other perspectives, so as to end this conflict in a peaceful and sensible manner.
