Topic: Determining the Legitimacy of Secession Movements and Obligations of Parent States
Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Delegate Name: Lauren Zimmerman
School: Forest Hills Central High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Democratic Republic of the Congo position papers GLIMUN 2016 committees
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is former colony of Belgium after congolese nationalists in the 1950s took major strides towards independence. On June 30th, 1960, the nation was officially decolonized and fully independent after Belgium lost control due to these nationalists and many riots. The DRC then held elections shortly after (signifying its government type) and elected a prime minister. This need for independence arose from unjust leadership beforehand, which justifies the DRC’s support for nations who feel the need for secession.
Beginning as a colony, The Democratic Republic of the Congo understands and believes that secession is an important part of worldwide development and growth. However, it is also important for secession movements to have a valid reason. Given the DRC’s history with the State of Katanga and its transitory secession, it’s understood that secession can be necessary in some circumstances. The DRC actually declared its southern half (now the province of Katanga) independent to avoid conflict with one of its leader’s controversial actions towards communism. This is one valid reason for a nation to secede. If a country’s government begins to split in beliefs, some cases may improve if a state secedes. Another circumstance that may arise and lead to valid secession would be inappropriate governing or treatment of its civilians. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is aware of the fact that such sociopolitical disagreements, uprisings, or conflicts are credible reasons for secession.
Referencing the DRC and the State of Katanga’s history, the death of the leader that had questionable communist actions led to the UN involving itself and authorising any extreme measures to avoid civil war and secession. After United Nations conspirative involvement in the situation, the DRC believes that the UN’s involvement should support and engage with the seceding state without interfering in the parent state and the new state’s relationship.
Although the DRC signed the Vienna Convention of Secession of States in 1978, this convention held very controversial and unclear circumstances. Moreover, its imprecise regulations lead to the need for more definite settlements. The Democratic Republic of the Congo believes that a new, seceding state/country must make a stance in world affairs and committees such as the UN or IMF (an organization that seeks to build a definite framework for economic cooperation to avoid another depression). This will allow the country to flourish more easily economically and politically by initiating their involvement. Not only must the new state initiate foreign affair involvement, but they must also have an established government type before being recognized. This type of internal establishment will allow the seceding state to hold a stance in world affairs and in contrary to their parent state. In regards to the new state’s economy, they may reach out to their parent state for support, but their independence signifies that the parent state holds no true obligation to the seceded state’s economy, besides to engage with them as they would any other country.
Ultimately, The Democratic Republic of the Congo believes that secession is absolutely necessary under conflicting or unfair circumstances within a nation. However, if a state does decide to secede, their independence signifies their obligation to engage themselves in world affairs (including the United Nations). Given this responsibility on the seceding state, it should also be addressed that other nations have an obligation to treat this state and their political or economic assets as they would any other developed country. This includes the parent state. Taking into consideration the roles of both parent states and seceding states, the Democratic Republic of the Congo believes that, with a significant majority, this committee must develop entirely new regulations on the terms of seceding states.
