Topic: The Situation in the Central African Republic
Country: Ethiopia
Delegate Name: Mr. Brett Bauman
School: Forest Hills Northern High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Ethiopia position papers GLIMUN 2017 committees
The situation in the Central African Republic is an all too familiar one for our world. Two groups with opposing views are unable to settle their differences and this leads to a massive humanitarian crisis with civilians stuck in the middle of an armed conflict. In this case, it is between the ex-Seleka and the anti-balaka groups. These two groups have managed to destabilize an entire country and worsen what seems to be an endless conflict between Muslims and Christians. Sadly, it is most often innocent people who are most harmed in these conflicts, and this can be seen in CAR as children die from malnutrition, aid shipments aren’t making it to the people they are supposed to supply, and hundreds of thousands of refugees are fleeing the country or are being internally displaced.
Ethiopia, as a country in Central Africa, has experience with these type of crises. However, now Ethiopia stands as a model of cooperation between the tens of millions of Christians and Muslims that live within our borders. The reason for Ethiopia’s stability lies primarily with the economy. Due to strong economic growth and investment in the nation, ethnic tensions and other concerns have largely been very minimal.
On his recent trip to CAR, the Secretary-General emphasized the need for more funding and the deployment of more peacekeepers to stabilize the situation and ensure that there isn’t a complete relapse into a major humanitarian crisis. The last time the Security Council addressed the issue in CAR was with Resolution 2339 on January 27, 2017 and the situation has escalated considerably since then. Ethiopia shares the concerns of the Secretary General and knowing the volatility of the region, believes that the Security Council should move with expediency to save lives and promote human dignity. Ethiopia believes that an increase in support from developed nations and other humanitarian organizations will allow more supplies to reach the innocent civilians of CAR that are caught in the middle of this horrible conflict. Ethiopia currently provides over 7,500 peacekeeping troops to missions in Africa and calls on other nations to do their fair share in contributing them as well in order to secure humanitarian aid shipments. Sadly, current UN peacekeepers in CAR have been accused of sexual abuse of the people they have been sent to protect. Ethiopia condemns this activity in the strongest terms and agrees with the recent assessment of the situation by the Secretary General that there need to be an increased focus on the UN’s zero-tolerance policy with regard to sexual exploitation. In addition to adding supplies and troops, Ethiopia recognizes that a more long-term solution is necessary to that the people of CAR can begin rebuilding their country and the children of CAR know a life beyond this current narrative of violence. It is difficult to change the minds of people who have been enemies for so long, but without reconciliation and a national conversation regarding ethnicity and religion, the people of CAR won’t be able to live together in peace. Ethiopia believes it is important for the country’s leaders to take charge of the situation and travel the country to try and foster understanding. In areas such as Bangui, where the government has control, the situation is improving. Therefore, if the UN comes along President Touadera, there is a chance of at least short-term stability.
