Topic: Situation in Congo
Country: Lebanon
Delegate Name: Tiana Crayton-LaGrone
School: Flint Central Academy
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Lebanon position papers GLIMUN 2008 committees
The conflicts taking place between the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Nambia, Zimbabwe, Uganda, and Rwanda ended in 2003 with the formation of a transitional government. However, there are still conflicts going on in which Lebanon is completely upset by. Currently, an estimated 250,000 civilians in the Democratic Republic of Congo have fled their homes and are living in desperate conditions following the latest outbreak of violence in the eastern part of the country. For years, the fighting has been fueled by the country’s vast mineral wealth, as well as conflicts over basic resources such as water and other resources. Conflicts are also a result of various conflicting political agendas. These conflicts, along with newly arising issues are now raising international concerns of another humanitarian disaster. Lebanon recognizes that Congo is striving to recover from a lengthy civil war in which about three million people died, mostly because of starvation and disease. In 2000, the United Nations entered Congo in order to help encourage a ceasefire during the five year war. However, now that there are increasing threats in Congo, there shall also be an increase in peacekeeping efforts led by the United Nations.
Lebanon is totally and completely against any form of genocide, political corruption, mass violence, and poverty that continues to be an epidemic in Congo. As countless children are separated from their families and as countless people (47% of them being children) are killed and tortured or die or starvation, Lebanon cannot urge all nations enough to rally against this as well. On a personal note, Lebanon has been a victim in many cases, suffering from violence from extremists and rebel groups, just as Congo has been. This is why we must urge all United Nations countries to encourage peace so that aid can begin to help the Congolese people.
The creation of the United Nations peacekeeping mission (MONUC) has done some good in Congo, as it has helped protect the Lusaka Peace Accords, which has encouraged peace between Congo and conflicting areas. Lebanon would like to see continued United Nations support. It is clear that the constant violence makes it hard for aid to enter into the area. However, Lebanon must make it even clearer that the civilians of Congo are suffering and we cannot allow this to continue any longer. The Congolese people have been victims of mass rape. Many of those who have fled to Goma have been homeless and starving. There is no food or shelter for these poor people, and it has even been evident that now, children are being forced to fight as well. Lebanon is urging immediate action upon this disaster in Congo, for it is of the utmost emergency.
