Civil War in DRC

Hi delegates, the African caucus is still lacking a discussion. So to start with a discussion I would like to bring up my country's topic: Civil War in Congo.

First of all I would like to introduce the delegates with some history about this conflict: The DRC has become an environment in which numerous foreign players have become involved, some within the immediate sub-region, and some from much further afield. That only serves to complicate the situation and to make peaceful resolution of the conflict that much more complex. The war, centered mainly in eastern Congo, has involved nine African nations and directly affected the lives of 50 million Congolese. ( THIS COMES FROM THE www.globalsecurity.org )

All of this conflict became a disaster due to foreign interventions. It not only involves DRC but also "nine African nations", which in this case should be mainly concerned about. Not only that, but it is a threat to sovereignty.It is a civil war, it regards exclusively to the habitants of that region, there for any intervention should be disregarded.

So, delegates, I would like to know about your country's position in relation to this topic and what you guys believe are the best solutions.

Fellow delegate,
The American representative completely understands that a civil war regards exclusively the ones directly involved. In accordance, all countries have the right to sovereignty. On the other hand however, when an internal conflict has been exponentially escalating and no solution has been accomplished, other nations have the right to intervene. At this stage International intervention is required. It is not a question of threatening a country's sovereignty but instead a common goal of achieving peace, security and the end of human right violations. Furthermore, the American representative would like to mention that the previous International interventions were not as successful due to Congo's blockage, which limited the action of external forces. Could the delegate mention a few of the causes of the civil war in order to better comprehend the progression of the conflict?

The groups that are involved in the Civil War are:
-The Interahamwe militia of ethnic Hutus, mostly from Rwanda, which fought the Tutsi-dominated Government of Rwanda
-Hutu members of the former Rwandan Armed Forces, believed to be responsible for the 1994 genocide of Tutsis in Rwanda, which also fought the Government of Rwanda
-The Mai Mai, a loose association of traditional Congolese local defense forces, which fought the influx of Rwandan immigrants
-The Alliance of Democratic Forces (ADF), made of up Ugandan expatriates and supported by the Government of Sudan, which fought the Government of Uganda
-Several groups of Hutus from Burundi fighting the Tutsi-dominated Government of Burundi

Dear Delegate,
Doesn't the delegate agree that unfortunately there are two many smaller conflicts occurring simultaneously in the country of Congo? Doesn't the delegate agree that it becomes extremely hard for a country such as Congo to solve all issues effectively and simultaneously? Doesn't the delegate further agree that Congo is neither politically nor economically capable of dealing with all the rebel groups that as a whole, lead to this never ending civil war? Fellow delegate, at this stage is becomes rather evident that Congo will not manage to overcome the civil war alone. The best way out is by allowing International interventions without any resentment.

Fellow delegate, according to what I said before, internal issues must be resolved internally in the same way that international issues must be resolved internationally. Multilateral talks were an attempt; however the International community was able to see that all these attempts failed. To say the thruth, the only countries that could perhaps help Congo to solve its long lasting civil war, are only Sudan and Uganda, which are the ones whoch have more actively involved in the war. In conclusion the DRC's Civil war could be at the most, resolved by biletral action among Congo itself and the neighboring nations. Any extra international intervetion will be seen as an intruder.

As it is possible to observe, the civil war is occurring due to the vast ethnic diversity in the region of Congo.

Keeping this in mind, how could external pressure solve an issue regarding cultural diversity? Foreigners will not manage to understand neither achieves the theoretical standards of Congo’s disunited people.

I totally agree to what it was asked by the American chair. All of these are useful informations to understand the difficult situation Congo is passing through. As it was said, Congo lacks political and economical strategies to deal with rebel groups. Congo needs immediate support from neighbors.

Fellow delegates of the African Caucus!
Could it be that not even one of the African Nations is interested in the never ending Civil War in the Democratic Republic of Congo? Does any delegation remember the commitment to Peace and Security? The American representative at this stage strongly believes that all delegations have either lost faith in proposing and debating measures, or that all the delegations are poorly prepared. The main impression is that the delegates of the African caucus are unaware of the topic, disinterested, lacking motivation, and most importantly, lacking with respect in relation to the ones who are trying hard to make this year's MUN unforgettable. Who disagrees with this statement, please prove the contrary. (I meant to be harsh to stimulate you guys)

Sau Wai,
the following link contain inumerous recent resolutions abording the situation in congo:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/docs.asp?Topic=Democratic+Republic+of+the+Congo&Type=Resolution

To my colleague, Sau Wai, and the delegates of the African Caucus,
It is necessary to recall that the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Congo today is indeed primely resultant from the Congo's civil war. The growing animosity and disobedience towards various attempts of establishing ceasfires have most definitely contributed to the deterioration of this crisis, making it more appalling by the second. There have been violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in the nation, including provocation of ethnic hatred and violence by all parties to the conflict. The delegation of Congo emphasizes firm commitment to of course preserving the national sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and all other member states affected by the conflict in the region. Yes, there have been difficulties, regarding those created by recurrent hostilities, faced by humanitarian agencies in delivering assistance to a large number of refugees and internally displaced persons, yet attempts on resolving this conflict need to be increased! The current conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo comprises a threat to peace and security in the region, and therefore requires the attention and support of all. Please show some more interest on this matter delegates!

The delegation of Rwanda is eager to strengthen the bond between the two countries by helping the DRC to fight the revolutionary forces.

The delegation of Rwanda also believe that it should not be excluded from the countries involved with the conflict because, the revolutionary groups are directly related to Rwanda and Rwanda has also been of assistance when batterring the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR)(this group is now located in Congo)

Congo expresses its gratitude towards the delegation of Rwanda in relation to demonstrating interest in strengthening relations between the two countries. Joint efforts have actually been stepped up by both nations, given that the government of the DRC and the Government of the Republic of Rwanda signed a treaty stating these efforts in Nairobi on November 9, 2007. The Act of Engagement which emerged from the Conference for Peace, Security and Development in North and South Kivu, held in Goma from to 23 January 2008, was also taken into consideration. These engagements are definitely appropriate plans for stabilizing the situation in the eastern part of the DRC especially, so Rwanda and the DRC must continue to work in cooperation.

The delegation of Rwanda also believes that it should not be excluded from the countries involved with the conflict because, the revolutionary groups are directly related to Rwanda and Rwanda has also been of assistance when batterring the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR)(this group is now located in Congo)

Of course Rwanda should not be excluded from the countries involved in the conflict, especially since it is regrettably one of the neighboring countries suffering from harsh political, economic and humanitarian consequences of the war. The DRC recognizes Rwanda's attempt of bringing the FDLR to justice, and certainly Congo condemns the attacks carried out by the LRA in the Orientale Province. Furthermore, the continuation of hostilities by illegal armed groups in eastern regions has only resulted in chaos; the Congrès national pour la Défense du people (CNDP)carried out violent military action in past months, causing massive displacement of populations in northern regions of Congo as well as cross border movements of refugees. At this point the DRC mainly believes in the importance of supporting the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC)for plans of assistance to be enhanced.

Here are some great videos and other resources on genocide, bosnia, rwanda, darfur, congo, etc. Especially worth watching is the Sudan conflict explained in 10 minutes! I showed these in my 10th grade class and we discussed them, but I thought I should share.

http://www.ushmm.org/genocide/take_action/genocide
What is genocide? Its evolution in international law all the way to the ICC and Crimes against Humanity...
http://www.ushmm.org/genocide/take_action/gallery/portrait/amanpour

Bosnia with Christiane Amanpour
http://www.ushmm.org/genocide/take_action/gallery/portrait/dachy
Bosnia srebrenica massacre
http://www.ushmm.org/genocide/take_action/gallery/portrait/kandic
Bosnia Srebrenica
http://www.ushmm.org/genocide/take_action/gallery/portrait/nuhanovic
Bosnia Srebrenica
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__kf7TljgGs
rwanda class video...intro to the conflict
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2r7UK3B6VWQ&feature=related
rwanda
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXdWDM4fmRY
(Where is the love? Darfur)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeC6S6bDTXI&feature=related
silence on Darfur
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USLDoIiFzzg&feature=related
sudan explained in 10 min…excellent
http://www.ushmm.org/genocide/take_action/gallery/portrait/lemkinhttp://www.ushmm.org/genocide/take_action/gallery/portrait/lemkin
International law…hope to do something against genocide
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dchqJ7bhCBA&feature=related
Never Again—anti Genocide movement footage
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urKOYd3cfdU&feature=channel
Don Cheadle 1800GENOCIDE and divestment campaign
http://www.ushmm.org/genocide/take_action/atrisk/region/dr-congo#564
Congo...is it Genocide? Congo and Rwanda, how they are related, etc.

http://www.ushmm.org/genocide/take_action/atrisk/region/dr-congo#564 This is a must--especially for Special Committee!!!

The site this is from, the US Holocaust Memorial Museum site, has lots of great info on genocide and crimes against humanity, ICC, Sudan, Congo, etc. Videos, interviews, timelines, articles...

Delegates, these is a recent news from the BBC NEWS that proves that DRC is still in conflict, and for these reasons, the Democratic Republic of Congo's army have been using vaccination clinics to attack civilians.To get to know more about this issue, enter the link http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8347503.stm, which will provide all of you with more info!!

Yes delegates, just to make you all aware of the INTENSITY of this conflict in the DRC, MORE uprisings between tribes in the west occurred on FRIDAY. THIS FRIDAY! These recent uprisings have resulted in the massive displacement of more than 16,000 civilians, many of which have been forced to flee from their homes to seek refuge in the ROC. Countless people are wounded and being cared for in hospitals in Brazzaville, yet the turmoil is only escalting. GENOCIDE. DEVASTATION. CHAOS. Efforts from collaborative members working for the UNHCR have been providing aid harmed civilians in the DRC and the ROC, though they face the risk of putting their own lives in jeopardy, and many have already been killed or severely wounded during conflicts between ethnic groups and tribal animosities.

AFRICA. Congo needs you. The situation cannot continue to remain unseen by the public eye. Yes, awareness has been promoted, but the world continues to look away. This awful complexity cannot continue to thrive unimpeded. It is a battle which requires the collaboration of all. Action is NEEDED. The world must not remain silent this time.

Time is limited.