Topic: 2024-Indiscriminate Weapons
Country: Sudan
Delegate Name: Johnny Thai
As warfare progressed, so has technology. When these two fields meet, a flower of death blooms. A blossom of technological innovation that could benefit society or could aid in humanitarian solutions, but when paired with warfare, brings nothing but death, and a prime example of this is indiscriminate weapons. Despite international efforts to remove these from the field of war, they still are used, as demonstrated in the conflicts of the Middle East and Ukraine, and as general assembly, must discover a solution to this ever-growing problem.
Sudan’s relationship with indiscriminate weapons is long and arduous. Indiscriminate weapons have been in many conflicts that Sudan has faced such as the first two Sudanese Civil Wars, the Sudan and South Sudan border dispute, the conflict in South Kordofan and Blue Nile, and the most apparent, current Third Sudanese Civil War. Sudan fully recognizes that indiscriminate weapons are harmful to all sides of conflicts as any side, whether civilian or military, are injured or killed. Just as most nations, Sudan wishes for the removal of indiscriminate weapons but also recognizes the potential conflicts that may arise against such a motion. Many nations in Africa and the Middle East are in conflicts thus making such a motion extremely difficult as this must be resolved first and foremost before anything can be in effect.
Sudan further believes international law can be strengthened to prevent the use of indiscriminate weapons in future conflicts before third parties are required, through means of aiding in preventing such conflicts in the first place, as Sudan, currently within a civil war, cannot afford to fight fairly against the Rapid Support Forces, a former part of the Sudanese Armed Forces, who are using such weapons. Sudan would be more open to enforce such policies after order has been completely restored and threats to power of the government are eliminated but as of this moment in time, Sudan must fend off the Rapid Support Forces by any means necessary.
Sudan is of the opinion that intense measure must be taken to accelerate the removal of landmines and unexploded ordnance in post-conflict areas, as Sudan is currently facing such indiscriminate weapons and once the civil war is resolved, would desire such measures. Sudan also assumes the belief that international frameworks must adapt extremely to address the challenges posed by new technologies in warfare. As stated previously, Sudan has and is currently facing such challenges. Only through extreme international measures, can new technologies be avoided within future conflicts, as countries, such as China, are the ones developing and supplying these technologies to conflict zones such as the Middle East, thus prolonging conflicts even longer than they should be.
In conclusion, indiscriminate weapons in conflict cause major casualties, both civilian and military. Sudan regards this as unacceptable, if, as a human race do not wish to destroy ourselves but also recognizes that action cannot be taken due to conflict. Conflicts, most notably in Africa and the Middle East, must first be resolved before any international cooperation can occur because as conflicts occur, no government can put international law into effect as they are being faced with a major obstacle, a threat to authority to carry out said laws. By considering these factors, the general assembly can propose a more defined and strong resolution in tackling this problem of indiscriminate weapons.
References:
“New Weapons Fuelling the Sudan Conflict.” Amnesty International, 25 July 2024, www.amnesty.org/en/latest/research/2024/07/new-weapons-fuelling-the-sudan-conflict/.
Ogao, Emma. “Civilians in Sudan Endure 15 Months of ‘indiscriminate and Widespread’ Violence: Humanitarian Report.” ABC News, ABC News Network, 22 July 2024, abcnews.go.com/International/civilians-sudan-endure-15-months-indiscriminate-widespread-violence/story?id=112142340.
“Sudan War: Rights Probe Demands Wider Arms Embargo to End ‘rampant’ Abuse | UN News.” United Nations, United Nations, news.un.org/en/story/2024/09/1154011. Accessed 12 Nov. 2024.
“Sudan: Constant Flow of Arms Fuelling Relentless Civilian Suffering in Conflict – New Investigation.” Amnesty International, 26 July 2024, www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/07/sudan-constant-flow-of-arms-fuelling-relentless-civilian-suffering-in-conflict-new-investigation/.
“Sudan: Explosive Weapons Harming Civilians.” Human Rights Watch, 4 May 2023, www.hrw.org/news/2023/05/04/sudan-explosive-weapons-harming-civilians.
“Sudan: Unlawful Attacks on Civilians, Infrastructure.” Human Rights Watch, 19 June 2024, www.hrw.org/news/2024/06/19/sudan-unlawful-attacks-civilians-infrastructure.
“Sudan’s Warring Parties Acquiring New Foreign-Made Weapons, Says Report.” Middle East Eye, 9 Sept. 2024, www.middleeasteye.net/news/sudan-warring-parties-weapons-foreign-made-report.
