Topic:
Country: Brazil
Delegate Name: Olivia Ahrens
The ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has claimed over 6 million lives, and Brazil believes this is one of the deadliest conflicts in history. If the United Nations Security Council were to ignore this conflict more, this could lead to severe chaos in Central and East Africa. We must discuss the ongoing origin of the DRC conflict, as this will reinstate the main issue at hand. Brazil will focus on the history of the DRC and the Rwandan Genocide of 1993-1994. Eastern DRC has been flooded with a variety of armed forces, which have subjected the DRC civilians to sexual violence, violations of their human rights, and severe poverty. Over 370,000 civilians have been forced out of their homes and placed in the streets. Civilians are being forced to pay taxes to the armed forces for their safety. Eastern DRC must be taken into account, or their future may not be upheld.
As a very active member of the United Nations Security Council, Brazil takes pride in having a strong commitment to international peace and security. Through our leadership in the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti, we deployed over 1,200 soldiers and equipment to Haiti, and we are still contributing via development programs and long-term investment. Brazil has participated in the United Nations Observer Mission in Angola. We supported the people of Angola and, during a conflict, wanted to bring them hope. We have provided support and humanitarian aid to the citizens of Angola. Another example of our aid is when we led the UN Maritime Task Force to restore peace and security in southern Lebanon, where we deployed over 4,000 troops. Our aid shows our dedication to our policy of providing international peace and security.
The people of the Democratic Republic of Congo deserve to live peacefully, and Brazil plans to provide for them. Foremost, we must cut off the armed forces from the peaceful civilians of the DRC. The UNSC should plan to provide peacekeeping troops to prevent violence by disarming the armed forces and preventing their access to resources. Furthermore, developed countries need to provide humanitarian aid, which will include access to shelters for those left homeless by armed nations, portable medical aid for those injured or sick, food and water for the hungry through meal centers run by the World Food Programme, and access to a portable shower and a clothing donation center. The UNSC must also study the area within the DRC to understand where nations must implement peacekeepers. We plan to create a conflict prevention plan, which involves arranging a meeting between the DRC and all other nations on how to reform their government system to be more effective and fair to the citizens of the DRC. Brazil believes these solutions will provide a fast-paced solution to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and prevent future conflict.
Works Cited
“Brazil and the UNSC.” UKnowledge, https://uknowledge.uky.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1028&context=ex-patt. Accessed 16 February 2023.
“Brazil’s contribution to UN peacekeeping.” Portal Gov.br, 9 February 2022, https://www.gov.br/en/government-of-brazil/latest-news/2022/exercicio-missoes-de-paz. Accessed 16 February 2023.
“Despite Peacekeeping Mission’s Efforts, Security Situation Worsening in Democratic Republic of Congo, Special Representative Tells Security Council – Democratic Republic of the Congo.” ReliefWeb, 10 December 2022, https://reliefweb.int/report/democratic-republic-congo/despite-peacekeeping-missions-efforts-security-situation-worsening-democratic-republic-congo-special-representative-tells-security-council. Accessed 16 February 2023.
“Instability in the Democratic Republic of Congo | Global Conflict Tracker.” Council on Foreign Relations, https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/violence-democratic-republic-congo. Accessed 16 February 2023.
Moury, Taciana. “Brazilian General Leads UN Peacekeeping Mission in Congo – Diálogo Américas.” Dialogo-Americas.com, 24 August 2018, https://dialogo-americas.com/articles/brazilian-general-leads-un-peacekeeping-mission-in-congo/#.Y-5F-XaZOUm. Accessed 16 February 2023.
Parens, Raphael. “Conflict in Eastern Congo: A Spark Away from a Regional Conflagration.” Foreign Policy Research Institute, 8 September 2022, https://www.fpri.org/article/2022/09/conflict-in-eastern-congo-a-spark-away-from-a-regional-conflagration/. Accessed 16 February 2023.
