Topic: Situation in Congo
Country: Venezuela
Delegate Name: Colleen Cronin
School: Traverse City West High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Venezuela position papers GLIMUN 2008 committees
Rebel groups of Congolese origin should be dealt with in a peaceful manner, not actively destroyed unless for protective purposes of civilian populations during attack. Rebel groups should attempt peace settlements and resolve differences with government. Groups attempting to reform the country are patriotic, not terroristic, they want for the betterment of their people. This ends, though, when these groups attack their own peoples. Rebel groups leaders should seek talks with their countries, whose leaders in turn should grant them safe communication and allowance for these talks.
Concerning Hutu and Tutsi issues, there are several topics Venezuela would like to address. The first being the creation a Tutsi leadership to speak on behalf of all Tutsi's, so the international community would not be forced to rely on the words and actions of small-percentage militant groups. This leadership would be formal and peaceful, and would allow for easier talks and communication between the Rwandan Hutu government, the Tutsi militants, and the rest of the international community. Secondly, France has been given control of the border situation between the Congo and Rwanda in order to allow Tutsi re-migration and control militant crossings from both sides. This control is fundamentally flawed as well as unsuccessful. French troops are not disarming militants as the cross the borders and return after genocide, nor are they allowing for Tutsi return without the Rwandan governments permission. This border needs to be operated under UN control with representation from both countries and a Tutsi leadership seat. We cannot allow for imperialistic control of sovereign lands or an revert to old western-influence in colonized foreign states. Both states have the right of sovereignty which should be kept. Third, Rwandan government should engage in reforms that end discrimination against the Hutu's and all ethnic groups and allow for an equal chance for representation in government. The Rwandan government should also stop all military threat from the Hutu groups against the Tutsi's and allow them to re-migrate back to their homes and regain citizenship. The UN, working alongside a Tutsi leadership, would be responsible for disarming and keeping peaceful the Tutsi people, as long as they are given equal human rights to Hutu's. These three measures would effectively rid the Congo of the Tutsi-Hutu issues as well as Rwandan military disruptions along the northern border, and place the border in the hands of the UN instead of western imperialism.
Refugee camps of Congo should be considered for the highest concern with human rights aid, with 1000 persons a day dying, mostly from easily curable disease, due to this conflict. This is the greatest death toll since WW2. Rebel groups should stay away from these camps with the incentive for peace talks and agreements that would be withheld. Refugees should begin to be resettled and reintegrated where safe by the UN Human Rights Committee. The Congolese government should allow these people the ability to move around and not be trapped within walls. Refugees should not be considered prisoners and should not be forced to remain in camps if from Congo or Rwanda. When possible, refugees from foreign lands should be returned to their respective countries.
Children soldiers should be disbanded from military groups and should be integrated into society with the help of the UN. They should also be the target of humanitarian efforts and effectively reconvened with family, or when not possible, adopted into other families or communities.
Schooling is another important step for the children and adults of Congo. It should be provided universally for the children of Congo as well as for those children in refugee camps. Without an education, children have no future, and adults need job training as well in the camps. This should also be provided once basic humanitarian aide has been supplied, thinking for a long term plan.
The Congo should be able to maintain a government elected by democratic vote that is not in any way controlled by imperial forces, including France, the UN and MONUC. It should be allowed to deal with Rwandan invaders threatening its Tutsi population with deathly measures, due to the refusal or lack of competence of the Rwandan Hutu government for halting the attacks. It should also be responsible for halting militant groups from border crossing, either way. Congolese government should take anti-corruption methods and remain attentive to rebel groups, and attempt peace with them.
