Topic: Situation in Cote d'Ivoire
Country: Japan
Delegate Name: Sam Lazar
School: Flint Southwestern Classical Academy
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Japan position papers GLIMUN 2010 committees
In recent years, civil unrest and grandiose displays of violence have rocked the Ivory Coast as a result of unstable political power. Time after time, elections have been set up and then delayed. Finally, in October, the elections took place, 5 years after President Gbagbo’s term had expired. However, even now, many people are claiming that the polls were unfair and are demanding a recount. This on top of the already deteriorating political infrastructure in the country has greatly weakened Cote d’Ivoire.
The nation of Japan knows that a great deal of cooperation and effort is going to be needed to fix the failing systems in Cote d’Ivoire. If a recount is demanded on the recent election, then UN supervisors must be there to carefully observe the process. If the election results are held as they are, the UN must still be present for a certain period of time to ensure lasting stability in the government. If a stable government can be installed, then a stable economy and population will follow. A stable government is the first step in creating order out of the mass chaos that is Cote d’Ivoire today.
As far as the civil unrest goes, blockades should be set up to cut down on the ability to transport and smuggle small arms throughout the country. If small arms trade can be reduced, the conflict overall will be made smaller. But not only should our committee be concerned about stopping the conflict right now but ensuring stability for years to come which goes back to the installation of a solid government.
