Topic: Situation in Congo
Country: Iran
Delegate Name: Todd Flynn
School: Traverse City West High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Iran position papers GLIMUN 2008 committees
We the Iranian delegation are very concerned within The Congo, especially the mounting violence as of late. While it is a clear a conscious effort has been made on the part of the Assembly, it is also clear that the effort we have made has failed. The violence has spiked lately, and the death rate is higher than ever. 1000 Africans-not just Congolese- are dying a day. More rebel groups are forming, and many groups seems to be waging war on each other, meaning that the war has multiple sides, not just two factions fighting each other. The war is also spilling over Congolese borders, with surrounding nations reporting fighting in their borders. It is clear something needs to be changed regarding our plan of action for The Congo.
While it is obvious that foreign influence is necessary, we would like to make it clear that the resolution should not be dominated by western nations, nor their opinions. We give warning that their selfish desires often lead to a conflict of interest. We as a human population cannot let a group of people from similar areas and with similar ideals dominate the entire world, nor the proceedings that take place in it. The relief needs to come from all areas of the world, and needs to occur swiftly. Increased funding is not an option if we look to succeed in saving the peoples of Central Africa.
There are some strict guidelines that should be implemented, and then followed by all parties. Those rebelling against the government should be disarmed and be allowed to return to their original homes, no matter what side of the war they were on. Refugees should be returned homes, and peace kept between all ex-factions. These peace-keepers should be funded by not only the UN, but also by The Congo and the other nations effected over the past decade. While the financial aid they have to offer will pale in comparison to what the UN will give, they will feel that they are helping, and that is an important first step. Eventually the situation will have to be funded by the local governments and the shift of power will have to begin immediately. Deciding the members of the governing bodies will be the hardest part.
After peace has been maintained for a month, the leaders of all factions, must sit down and decide how to form governments in each of their countries. All parties should be represented in government and in the meetings. This must happen not only for the Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups, but also for the Congolese rebels and the government. These parties must come to agreements for the conflict to end. Both sides opinions need to be taken into consideration, and many compromises will have to be made. Peace-keepers must then monitor the situations between the government and the rebels, and the Hutus and the Tutsis. Make no mistake, the situations will be tense for the first few months and maybe years, but the lack of killing every day will make our world a better place, and help bring many African nations into the 21st century. The eventual peace in the region will bring stability, both humanitarian and economic. This is essential for the growth and well-being of the region.
Lately the situation has escalated in unimaginable ways. The leader of our UN forces, Allen Doss, has called for troop increases, and his pleas need to be answered. Both rebel forces and Congolese forces have been accused of war crimes as recently as the last month. Without more troops and funds, the situation will only get worse. Over the past decade the war has spread from a Hutu Tutsi ethnic war, to a war involving many factions and countries. Without action the problem will continue to get worse in such a fashion. It is the goal of us here in the UN to better the world, and we would be ignoring our duty if we allowed this war to continue to kill so many people, innocent or not. The violence must stop.
