Topic: 2024-The Situation in Guyana
Country: Ireland
Delegate Name: Sophia Harper
Country: Ireland
Committee: SPECPOL
Topic: Situation in Guyana
Delegate: Sophie Harper
School: Williamston High School
The border dispute between Guyana and Venezuela is a conflict that dates all the way back to the Treaty of London in 1814, giving the land that is being fought over to British Guiana. After Venezuela gained independence, the country also sought to claim the Essequibo region as their territory. In 1899, British Guiana was granted the region as part of their land, which was agreed upon by both sides of the dispute. Venezuela was ultimately unhappy with this decision, and claimed that what happened in 1899 was not valid anymore. Tensions started to grow all over again, with both countries firmly holding their stance. Guyana had gained independence in 1966, also the year that Guyana and Venezuela signed the Geneva Agreement in attempts to keep peace between the nations. Recent findings of oil in the Essequibo region sparked the dispute again in 2015. Venezuela believes that Guyana does not have the rights to the newfound oil, insisting that the land it was found in belongs to them. Dismayed by this, Guyana went to the International Court of Justice to reaffirm the Arbitral Award from 1899 was valid. The ICJ declined, but brought the case back up again in December of 2020 to address the validity of the award. Nothing has yet to be determined from the ICJ, leaving tensions high between the two parties involved.
Ireland is a country that is committed to peaceful relationships and resolutions to conflict. In the past, Ireland and the United Kingdom have had confusion over borders of their own. One recent example of this includes the signing of The Northern Ireland Protocol. Created to avoid a hard border in Ireland, it has allowed for a secure long-term solution to the issues brought up after the UK left the European Union. This protocol has helped to preserve the economy of Ireland and the United Kingdom and protect peace.
Ireland believes that the way to approach this conflict is with diplomatic conversations attended by both parties. Staying away from armed involvement is detrimental to a peaceful and fair resolution, which can be reached by negotiating. Ireland supports the efforts of the ICJ in trying to come to an agreement, encouraging Guyana and Venezuela to follow and respect whatever ruling the court may come to. The UN should back up the ruling of the ICJ. However, there should still be conversations and respectful communication between the two countries while the court is working on a resolution, so as to not let tensions increase further.
