Topic: 2024-Situation in Burkina Faso
Country: Albania
Delegate Name: Taha Ibrahim
United Nations Security Council
Situation in Burkina Faso
Republic of Albania
Taha Ibrahim
Forest Hills Northern HS
Burkina Faso’s recent history has been marked with political instability and sweeping changes. Several transitional and military governments have taken power until 2015, with the election of Kabore. His tenure would only last 7 years before a military junta known as the Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration (PMSR) took over the nation in a coup d’etat. Now under the leadership of Ibrahim Traore, many democratic initiatives were ended, and western influence was cut off. Currently plaguing the nation thanks to the instability caused by the military coup, is the rise of several militant Islamist groups. These extremist groups have caused the civilian death count in Burkina Faso to triple. Along with this, over 800,000 people are under blockade due to them living in areas that are under control of these militant groups. Over 2 million people have been displaced and several require humanitarian assistance. Millions are dealing with extreme hunger and limited access to healthcare. Additionally, there have been reports of human rights violations being perpetrated by the military. A plan has been made with the Joint Steering Committee to Advance Humanitarian and Development Collaboration, however, it’s been left largely underfunded.
The Republic of Albania would like to place emphasis on combating the issues brought about by the presence of Islamic militant groups. Their presence has led to a mass amount of displaced peoples as well as threatening regional stability. The best way to deal with this is to strengthen regional cooperation. These groups are not limited to Burkina Faso alone, and several of them are operating in surrounding nations. Burkina Faso, along with neighboring countries and organizations can work collaboratively through intelligence sharing, security, and joint military operations.
With several displaced people due to the violence and instability caused by the ongoing conflict, humanitarian assistance and protection of the rights of people should be a top priority. Humanitarian agencies and NGOs should be supported in order to deliver lifesaving humanitarian aid. Food, shelter, and medical care should be accessible to any and all afflicted persons. Many refugees have made their way to neighboring countries with limited resources and support. To combat this, continued aid must be facilitated to neighboring nations harboring refugees, to provide a safe area for them until they can return to their home country.
Addressing the human rights violations is also something Albania believes to be necessary to help foster stability and peace in the region. With the military of Burkina Faso being accused of extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, and several civilian disappearances, Albania wishes for the security council to not take these allegations lightly and to prevent any further violations from occurring. Impartial investigations must be conducted with haste. Human rights monitoring must be strengthened in order to document any violations committed and to send warning of any potential abuses.
Albania calls upon regional organizations to spearhead the cause and for nations to aid and support the plight of the people of Burkina Faso. To prevent further violence, the crisis must be addressed in a comprehensive manner. In order to safeguard the rights of people, provide aid to those who need it, and to put an end to conflict, Albania looks forward to working closely with the members of the Security Council to find lasting solutions to this conflict.
