Congo Crisis

Things are getting pretty hot in Congo as armed conflict between Tutsi rebels (Rwanda has been accused of supporting them), led by Gen Nkunda, and the Rwandan Hutu rebels, many of whom have been accused of participating in the 1994 Rwandan Genocide, continue. At this moment, tens of thousands of people are fleeing a rebel advance on the city of Goma, in the east of DRC. The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said the violence was creating a humanitarian crisis of "catastrophic dimensions". According to the Red Cross, one of its main hospitals has been looted and aid from abroad is not reachiing Congolese refugees. For further info, access: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7700897.stm

Thank you very much for the information Chris; i'm gonna research that to add to my resolution

It is because of these troubles between Congo and Tutsi rebels that the Congo army had to move his army to the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

this is an interesting video/picture (it is pretty long to charge)
http://www.unicef.org/childalert/drc/map.php

Rebel leader General Laurent Nkunda's forces are positioned some 15km (nine miles) from the city, waiting to attack.

Leader Knunda had just attacked the area of Goma five days ago. After 3 days of battle, he announced the ceasefire, and told the government that unless they decide to negociate, the rebels will overthrow the government. I had to re-do most of my resolution. =O

The situation is horrible fellow delegates. Everything can change in a matter of hours.

Although not admitting, Rwanda has been accused of being sponsoring Nkunda's rebel army. Also, witnesses alledge to have seen RWANDAN SOLDIERS, USING THE ARMY'S CLOTHING, fighting beside general Nkunda and his rebels. This is a matter of sovereignty being broken and ethnic prejudicenot mentioning to be a disrespect th DRC as a sovereign nation.

Unless requesteed, Rwanda should remain out the conflict and take no sides on such war. DRC is a sovereign nation, and it's rule of land should be always respected.

Up to 100,000 fled their homes due to the heavy artillery fighting in Congo. Of these, up to 60% are children. (UNICEF Database) Others 250,000 people were displaced within the country's border. If we count all displaced citizens and people who fled due to fear, a number close to 2 million, or, if you prefer, 20% of DRC's population, is reached.

"Even with today's [4 November] widely reported aid delivery, displaced people throughout North Kivu continue to be in urgent need of food, clean water, healthcare and basic items like blankets and shelter materials," said Clio van Cauter, the Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) spokeswoman.

As seen, the war not only kills in combat. Its effects are drastic and it kills more people that out of the battlefield than during combats. Innocent people, who have nothing to do with the clash, who are displaced, and have no access to clean water, food, medications and a roof over their head.

We need peace!

The Zimbabwe Delegation is here to tell that the Congo Crisis has been a great problem in Congo since 1996. It had it's ups and downs but now and end is needed to be done. Since the Second World War II, the Congo war was the place where most people were killed, by guerrillas or by diseases.

THe Zimabawe Delegation urges t a urgent action be done. Zimbabwe already sent troops to assist Kabila in 1998. People said that, it was a mistake but no. We believe that a end has to be done to theis thrilling war..

Zimbabwe

Congolese delegates, what exactly are you requesting the UN to do in your territory? Will you ask for the help of other nations?

Delegates of Congo, the Rwanda government alledges that Laurent Kabila, your president, has failed to control Hutu militia in CONGOLESE territory, and that those HUtus were responsible for killing more than 500,000 Rwandans in 1994, and since then, wadging attacks inside the Rwandan nation coming from bases located inside Congo.

Rwanda also affirms that its presence in your nation was officially to help your inefficient and poorly armed National Army and that Rwandans were, basically, expelled from Congolese lands since President Kabila blamed the uprising conflicts on Rwanda, alledging his country was invaded by those foreign forces.

And just to clarify something: does the delegates of DRC affirm or deny the fact that your government is supoorting Hutu rebels inside DRC?

The Delegation of South Africa would be thrilled with some responses.

This event happened yesterday and it seems to be very helpful for Congo's delegation

Congolese Tutsi rebels went from door to door overnight killing people in Kiwanja, residents said Thursday. Rebel commanders said they had assaulted only pro-government fighters. “They knocked on the doors; when the people opened, they killed them,” said Simo Bramporiki, who said his wife and child were killed. Human Rights Watch said at least 20 people died in the battle for the town. The United Nations chief and regional leaders are to meet Friday to discuss the strife. (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/07/world/africa/07briefs-TUTSIREBELSA_BRF.html?ref=world)

thanks for the information delegate of Kenya

Delegate Biglia, we ARE aware that there have been speculations of Rwanda's participation on sponsoring Knunda's army, and we truly believe on that. A bbc official located on the east of Goma repported on October 30th that he had seen Rwandenian troops crossing the border in trucks towards Kutshuru (one of the latest cities taken over by the tutsi rebels). For me, that is enough.

We are also aware of the other consequences this conflit is causing to our country (1.2 million displaced refugees, 250,000 only in a week, 45,000 killed from October 20th to today.) The situation in chaotic and that is why we desperatedly ask all the delegates to vote in favor of our resolution.

Leo, we're basically asking for UN to send more troops. General Knunda said that if the government dont talk directly to them they would overthrow the government of Congo. We currently have 25,000 soldiers fighting for us (17,000 of them are UN peacekeepers) we're just asking for the UN and any other concerned nation to help with troops. That's all we need and are focusing on now. After we guarantee that the country is safe and out of risk, we will start to work on the mess done by this conflict.

To answer your other question, i'd say: The genocide was between two rebel groups. No governments were involved and besides, it happened on Rwanda. CONGO IS NOT SUPPORTING THE HUTU REBELS, and the reason that Knunda's troops are attacking Congo is because they fear future Hutu attacks on the Tutsi community (at leat that was what Knunda said)

Delegate Alexandre we recognize and thanks the support your country gave to us on 1996, but we would be grateful if your country could support ours in this chaotic moment. Again I repeat: THE REBELS HAVE THE POWER TO OVERTHROWN CONGO'S GOVERNMENT. Thre are 65,000 Tutsi soldiers against 25,000 Congolese. The situation is horrifying.

Thank you for the info Delegate Sau Wai

[quote="Congo_Marcelo"]General Knunda said that if the government dont talk directly to them they would overthrow the government of Congo. We currently have 25,000 soldiers fighting for us...


so why doesn´t the Congolese government arrange peaceful talks with General Nkunda?

As a defensor of peace and justice delegate, South Africa sees as if the Congolese government requests more troops to assure itself in power and move on with the slaughter against Tutsis and Hutus, which is simply unnacceptable. The conflict must be solved peacefully and diplomatically. If you use violence, delegate, you will be just adding more terror to an already messed up country and scared population.

Delegates of Congo, please show that my view of your request is wrong.

Delegate of South Africa, what kind of law man or country representative make any kind of deal with criminals?

I think i didn't get my ideas straight here, what do you mean by a peaceful deal, when he is already IN CONTROL of three major cities in eastern Congo? What do you think his proposals will be?

On the most optimistic case scenario he will demand to split Eastern Congo for the Tutsi community. We don't have any option or "peaceful agreement" here. At this moment they're giving the cards, they are stronger.

"As a defensor of peace and justice delegate, South Africa sees as if the Congolese government requests more troops to assure itself in power and move on with the slaughter against Tutsis and Hutus, which is simply unnacceptable."

As a delegate of Congo, representing it's government I'd say we don't care about the tutsi and Hutu conflict, they can kill each other if they want, but all we ask is for them to leave Congo out of it. And... of course we need more troops to assure ourselves in power. We are the Government, we provide peace and were elected by the people! We need troops to establish the peace to our nation, because what is unnacceptable is what is happening now.

Is the delegate of Congo explicitly saying that it does not care about peace and international relations and mediations when it states, “Delegate of South Africa, what kind of law, man or country representative make any kind of deal with criminals?” Is the delegate aware of the purpose of the United Nations?

The allegations by the Congolese delegate are completely outrageous and preposterous, since the aim for peace is essential for a lasting solution. Fortunately, history is able to show that peaceful agreements are much more efficient than a resort to force. Delegate, South Africa endorses peace and negotiation; the ability of men to communicate without an alternative to brutality. It is important to stress the need for diplomacy. South Africa believes that a resort to the use of force diminishes the chance for a lasting solution in addition to the suffering of the people involved.

The delegate of Congo said, “We don't have any option or ‘peaceful agreement’ here” Well delegate, what is the purpose of the United Nations after all? Isn’t it an international organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in international law and international security? It seems to South Africa that Congo lacks an aim for peace to the international community.

The delegate Congo should be aware that peaceful agreements should be undertaken to solve the issue that has caused deaths and suffering to many, not selfishly saying “they can kill each other if they want, but all we ask is for them to leave Congo out of it.” Lets all remember and understand that peace and stability is a precondition to development.

Delegate Marcelo is right. we don't want the rebel groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo and it's true that we need troops to help the congolese military but we must keep them out of the country.

As delegates of the Democratic Republic of Congo our job is to safe the country and it's population, we dont care about the rebel groups.

Delegate of Congo,

South Africa is deeply confused by the delegate's position regarding this issue. The delegate has previously stated that it is defending the people of the country. However, doesn't the Tutsi minority within the country make part of the population? Therefore, what would be the problem of having peace talks between the government and the rebel groups, since an aim for peace without a resort to force would guarantee a better and more effective solution? Nkunda, who belongs to and defends Congo's Tutsi minority demands a better government for the whole country and urges for negotiations with the government. Does this mean that the government is ready to fight and cause more deaths and suffering to the population?

South Africa desires clarification so that it can take a position towards this topic. In addition to this, could the delegate state the plans that the delegation will propose in the resolution?

Best regards.

I found a great article that explains why the 17,000 peacekeepers deployed (The UN's largest operation) in Congo are not effective, at http://www.economist.com/opinion/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12511143.

Delegates of Congo- Based on this article, you guys can come up with several new operative clauses. Pay close attention to this part of the article:
The first requirement is for the UN, on the ground and in the Security Council, to get a grip of itself. Its force commander, an experienced Spaniard, has resigned in despair seven weeks after taking over. The Indian units that make up the core of the UN force in the area under attack have given up on the Congolese army, which has disintegrated in the face of rebels from the Tutsi group. Moreover, command and control among the peacekeepers, not to mention their discipline, have been poor. The blue helmets have incurred the enmity of the locals, the rebels and the useless, predatory Congolese army. Plainly, the peacekeepers need reinforcing fast, with the right sort of troops. Instead of wringing its hands, the UN Security Council must resolve to send a robust force of extra troops forthwith.

Other key points to consider before requesting new troops:
"France’s forces have performed well in Congo before, but its government has awkward relations with Rwanda, which backs the main rebel force."

"South Africa, which already provides troops to the UN force, could play a bigger part in the danger zone."

"General Nkunda , who says he just wants to protect his fellow Tutsis, is egged on by the Tutsi-led government of next-door Rwanda, which is a favourite of many Western governments, especially America’s." If such nations become part of the peacekeeping operation, they might appease to the Rwandan government. In other words, they may refuse to fight the Tutsi rebels in order to maintain peaceful relations with Rwanda.

General Comment: You guys need not only new troops, but more experienced and disciplined soldiers who know what they're doing. Perhaps you should request troops from NATO, "the world’s best fighting force".

"The UN’s mission to Congo, known by the acronym MONUC, which has 17,000 peacekeepers across the country, including 6,000-odd in North Kivu, has been unable to cope. Diplomacy, hitherto fruitless, is intensifying. European diplomats, led by the foreign ministers of Britain and France, David Miliband and Bernard Kouchner, have visited regional capitals, calling for talks and troop reinforcements. The UN secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon, was set to host a summit on November 7th in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, bringing together the presidents of Congo and Rwanda, Joseph Kabila and Paul Kagame respectively, who have been sponsoring some of the rival rebel armies. Nigeria’s former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, has been tapped as a mediator; he immediately called for MONUC to be beefed up. The French government suggested that a robust European force of 400 to 1,500 soldiers be dispatched urgently to protect the humanitarian missions that are struggling to give relief to hundreds of thousands of hapless and hungry civilians. So far the European Union has been loth to give the go-ahead. "

for further information check http://www.economist.com/world/mideast-africa/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12573363

Delegate of south Africa,

Here is not the place for ignorancy. I don't think you understood me well here.

Nkunda, who belongs to and defends Congo's Tutsi minority demands a better government for the whole country and urges for negotiations with the government.

- AHAHAHHAHAHAH that was funny man! You're saying that Knunda demands a better government for the whole country?!?! hahahah go to www.bbc.com, put Congo in the search and read the latest news! Knunda is a criminal. On the last 15 days he have killed 45.000 Congolese citizens. What do you think hes gonna want on the agreement? It is very likely that he demands that Congo splits apart, making the eastern part of Congo only for Tutsis. This will create more and more conflicts in the next years. You're sating that Knunda defends Congo's Tutsi minority? Defend from who? No one here is threatening the Tutsi, at least not in Congo my friend. What he wants is to rule, and he can do that.

Therefore, what would be the problem of having peace talks between the government and the rebel groups, since an aim for peace without a resort to force would guarantee a better and more effective solution?

Hahahahaha imagine someone goes to your house, kills all your family and then ask for a peaceful agreement. Would you agree with that? Or would you call the authorities to help you?

Thats why Congo is trying to do. We're urging for help. Thats it. We represent Congo, and all we care is about Congo's peace, otherwise we would not be representing it.

One more thing,

Knunda just spoke with a BBC correspondent.

Clad in smart military uniform and surrounded by a clutch of heavily-armed rebel soldiers, Gen Nkunda claimed he would overthrow the government in the capital Kinshasa if Congolese President Joseph Kabila refused power-sharing talks.

It is a demand that President Kabila has already rejected, saying that talking to the rebel leader would be "unconstitutional".

-Delegate of africa, here is one more reason why we do not negociate. It is unconstitutional and he wants to share the power... you know what that means.

In this link there is the audio of the conversation:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7721205.stm

to the delegate of south africa

This weekend, southern African countries expressed their support for Congolese government forces and said they were sending military advisers and experts to the country.

Rwanda has long been accused of - and denied - supporting Gen Nkunda's forces.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7722069.stm

Dear Congolese delegates,

I am deeply, profoundly touched by your request. Send in more peacetroopers to aid your frail army, so that your president may move on with the slaughter and NEVER find a good assortment for both sides?

Delegate, you were the one who said that the rebels can count with a 65,000 men army while your government with a 25,000, being 17,000 UN peacekeepers. So, clearly, the rebels have a much larger and lethal firepower.. Isn`t it wiser to actually try to solve this peacefully, since, through your ways, you simply cant defeat them?

You may say "It is very likely that he demands that Congo splits apart". A coward and rather frail excuse. How can you guess what is on Gen. Nkunda's mind? Suddenly you can read minds delegate? And by the way, that is what we call a REQUEST, which may be ACCEPTED OR DENIED.

Oh, and one more thing delegate: it is your government's duty to protect the nation and care about EACH and EVERY citizen in your country. The phrase "I dont care about the tutsi and Hutu conflict, they can kill each other if they want" seems, to any of you who read this post, as if the government is actually denying its CITIZENS in order to remain irresponsible for their actions? After all delegates, being part of an ethnic group doesn't take your citizenship from you, or does it delegates?

Delegates of Congo, being the head lead of a nation isn't just ordering people around to do stuff while you sit in your comfortable chair watching TV. It is not just making a whole mess and calling other nations to help your frail government. Maybe you guys watch too much TV. The truth is, fellow Congolese delegates, being head of a government implies on being responsible for lives, actual human beings, not dolls that when they brake you buy new ones to replace. These are actual human beings, if you haven't noticed, and you are responsible for their lives and wellbeing. And just a tip: if you add more violence to the existing war in your country, dear delegates, you wont be doing a good job at maintaining your people safe.


The time for a peaceful agreement has arrived. Better yet, it arrived several years before. Congo government, you cannot defeat the rebel army in your country. You cannot counteratack the rebels with violence. You must find a solution through other means and the only option left is an immediate peacetalk. Quit dreaming that one day you will MURDER 60,000 rebels and save the nation. Quit denying that the Tutsis are not DRC's citizens. Quit imagining a day where DRC will be a shiny and glorious nation, with blooming flowers and children's laughter, because, the way you are planning to act, DRC has a really cloudy and unpredictable future. This is, if it really has one.

South Africa

"Here is not the place for ignorancy."

Enough said.