Topic: Conflict Commodities
Country: Mozambique
Delegate Name: Artur Fruman
School: Cranbrook Kingswood
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Mozambique position papers GLIMUN 2007 committees
Mozambique recognizes the problems that arise from conflict commodities. The suffering that occurs in such countries as Sierra Leon, Liberia, and Cote d’Ivoire is simply unjust. Ever since diamonds were discovered and put into the market there has been a mad race to collect all the natural precious stones that the earth creates. The lives lost due to tedious labor brought upon by rebel militias should be stopped immediately. The market is swarming with conflict diamonds and other conflict commodities, this must stop.
Mozambique recognizes the issues with conflict commodities and we have been working on ways to prevent such problems internally and externally. Illegal mining of precious stones in Barue, Mozambique has brought about a real predicament. Mozambicans are digging up stones and selling them illegally without even knowing correct prices. This process brings conflict commodities, such as green tourmaline and rubelite, into the market at cheap costs. Because of all the internal turmoil the Manica provincial government has set up a commission made up of members of the criminal investigation police (CIP), traffic police, the Border Guard, Customs and the Provincial Directorate of Mineral Resources, to restore order. We have been very successful with this method and have seized 10 kilos in precious stones. These methods must be set up in other areas for similar results to take place.
Mozambique recognizes that complete removal of conflict commodities is of great importance to the United Nations. Mozambique has dealt with these problems so we know first hand how to deal with them. We strongly urge that other countries follow suit and do as we did. Setting up commissions made up of members of various governmental groups is key to a successful removal of rebel militia and the conflict commodities they are selling. With the help of the international community we assume that this problem will not persist much longer.
