Head Chair: Victor Huang Co-Chairs: Cashua Wang, Eric Lee
Slide 2
Chair: Cashua Wang
Slide 3
French air strikes kill Mali rebel commander Omar Ould Hamaha
Hamaha was part of the coup that deposed of the Malian president in
2012. An outspoken leader for the Ansar Dine, the US and France
recognized him as a terrorist. 10-12 other suspected Islamic
militants were killed alongside Hamaha during French-Malian
counter-terrorism strikes. Parts of Franco-German brigade deployed
to boost Malian security Under the European Union (EU), the
Franco-German brigade intends to integrate into the EU mission in
Mali (EUTM). As per the EUTMs goals, the Franco-German brigade will
aid in training Malian soldiers. Around 1,600 French troops remain
in Mali with 3000 EUTM trained Malian soldiers.
Slide 4
Jihadists return to Northern Mali a year after Operation Serval
Operation Serval is an ongoing military operation in Mali by the
French air force and army. Following SC Res 2085, the operations
goal is to oust Islamist militants from Mali. The AQIM continues to
target families either hostile to Islamist presence in Northern
Mali or friendly and helpful to French presence. Targeted people
include, particularly, Tuareg members of the National Movement for
the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA). French, Chadian, and Malian troops
continue to fend off attacks by suicide bombers, mines, and/or arms
even with the MINUSMA presence of 6000 UN Peacekeepers. The AQIM,
MUJAO, and Ansar Dine remain particularly prominent in Northern
Mali.
Slide 5
Al-Qaeda linked Islamic militants (MUJAO) kidnap 5 Mali Red
Cross workers The members are alive and in good health according to
a MUJAO spokesman. All 5 members are Malian citizens. Question to
consider (QTC): How should countries ensure safety of NGO workers
while providing aid in Mali and the Sahel region? Drought remains a
major issue in the Sahel region Drought leads to food insecurity.
Around 20 million people face food insecurity and malnutrition in
the Sahel region. Many people have fled Mali to other countries due
to the drought and conflict, creating a major refugee problem for
surrounding countries. QTC: How should nations support and
stabilize Mali concerning drought, famine, and refugee issues?
Slide 6
France As an ex-colonial ruler, France strongly supports
military intervention to support Malian security. Mali remains a
crucial geographical location for France and Europe in maintaining
military bases and defending against terrorist attacks. Mali also
has rich deposits of gold and uranium. France strongly supports the
current democratic Malian government and does not support the
rebels. Mali: The Malian government is strongly democratic. In
contrast, numerous rebel groups are Sharia-law supporting Islamist
militants. The current Malian government fights against the rebel
groups but lacks the resources to do so successfully, hence, the
need for a French intervention and UN Peacekeeping mission.
Slide 7
Oceania Having historically close ties with Europe, Australia
and New Zealand also support the Malian government, with New
Zealand providing small funds for the humanitarian effort in Mali.
Americas The US supports Malian ventures in re-establishing a
democratic government as well as supporting the French foreign
intervention. However, the US is not as highly invested in Mali,
and suspended military aid during the interim government in Mali
after the coup. Middle Eastern Nations Iran has promised support
for Mali in ending the conflict and is interested in working with
the African Union to end the conflict. Asia China is highly
invested in Mali monetarily and supports the Malian government,
having several thousand peacekeepers in Mali.
Slide 8
African Union (AU): The AU supports the Malian government in
fighting against the Islamist militants, a major problem occurring
in other parts of Africa. AFISMA was started by the AU to support
Mali in regaining security. Very flexible in working with other
nations. European Union (EU): The EU likewise supports the Malian
government, and has sent the EUTM mission to train Malian
government soldiers. Military intervention is strongly supported.
Very flexible in working with other nations concerning Mali.
Slide 9
UNSC P5 For once, the UN P5 are in one accord concerning ending
the Malian conflict. The P5 are also in support of the previous
French military intervention.
Slide 10
Chair: Eric L.
Slide 11
2013 December - US and Britain suspend "non- lethal" support
for rebels in northern Syria after reports that Islamist rebels
seize some bases of Western-backed Free Syrian Army. 2014
January-February - UN-brokered peace talks in Geneva fail, largely
because Syrian authorities refuse to discuss a transitional
government. 2014 March - Syrian Army and Hezbollah forces recapture
Yabroud, the last rebel stronghold near the Lebanese border.
Slide 12
UNITED NATIONS the plight of civilians has not improved and
that millions remain in dire need since the Security Council united
in demanding better aid. Valerie Amos told reporters after her
private briefing to the 15-nation council that the situation for
millions of desperate Syrians has not gotten better and will not
improve unless there is full and unhindered access. I told the
Council that we need to see a significant step-change in the speed
and scale of humanitarian aid, if we are to save lives and keep
pace with the ever- growing needs," she said. "This piecemeal
approach, despite the best efforts of humanitarian workers on the
ground, is not delivering change fast enough. On February 22, the
SC unanimously adopted a resolution demanding both sides end
attacks on civilians, including 1. the use of barrel bombs 2. give
unhindered access to humanitarian relief operations 3. end sieges
on cities and towns 4. lift bureaucratic obstacles 5. allow aid
convoys to cross conflict lines and international borders to reach
the 3.5 million needy Syrians in hard-to-reach areas
Slide 13
The stalled Middle East peace process and Syrias civil war
dominated opening talks at the 25th Arab League Summit, which got
under way in Kuwait. Following an opening recitation from the
Quran, the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, whose
nation chaired last years meeting, called on Israel to withdraw
completely from all Arab territories. The secretary-general of the
Arab League, Nabil al- Arabi, later applauded U.S. efforts to forge
peace in the region, but blamed Israeli settlement expansion and
other policies for the stalemate.
Slide 14
USA: The United States could not have stopped the humanitarian
crisis in Syria with military strikes, President Barack Obama said
U.S. troops had reached their limits after long wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan. U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power said President Bashar
al-Assads regime is the biggest obstacle to the delivery of aid.
China and Russia: Both countries recently agreed unanimously with
the SC members on allowing unhindered humanitarian access to
cities, towns, and neighborhoods under siege by warring factions.
However, no armed intervention is necessary. Syria: Assad is
quietly preparing the ground to hold elections by early this summer
to win another 7-year term, even as the Syrian conflict rampages
into its fourth year with large parts of the country either in
ruins or under opposition control and nearly a third of the
population scattered by civil war. Syria has not yet disposed all
chemical weapons and still has great issues in delivering aid.
Slide 15
Slide 16
Victor Huang A French peacekeeper patrols Bangui, Jan.
2014
Slide 17
Jan 10 th President Michael Djotodia and Prime Minister Nicolas
Taingaye resign* Jan 23 rd Catherine Samba-Panza (previously mayor
of Bangui, the capital of the CAR) assumes the position of interim
President. Ban Ki-Moon approves of this appointment, since
Samba-Panza was viewed by many as being neutral and away from
clan-clashes. Her arrival to presidency has generally been accepted
by both anti-balaka and ex-Seleka forces. *this is so important Ive
decided to put it in again!!! Djotodia used to be the leader of the
Seleka organization! Above: Catherine Samba-Panza being swarmed by
reporters
Slide 18
January the European Union promised to send 1000 additional
troops to the CAR. Feb 18 th Ban Ki-Moon called on the Security
council to immediately deploy 3000 troops in the nation to combat
innocent civilians being targeted and murdered. Ban outlined a plan
which included sending 3000 more peacekeepers in addition to the
6000 African Union soldiers and 2000 French soldiers already
stationed in the CAR. March 29 th the European Union announced in a
news release that it is beginning to launch a military operation to
restore stability. The forces will be known by the acronym EUFOR
RCA and will operate primarily in the capital city of Bangui. This
is authorized by the Security Council Resolution 2134, and the
force is anticipated to contain 800-1000 people. April 3 rd Chad
announced it would pull out its 850 troops stationed in the CAR,
because these troops have been accused of siding with Muslim
militias (ex-Seleka) in sectarian clashes with Christians (anti-
Balaka). The Chadian troops had also been previously reported to
have killed at least 24 people in the CAR. A French Peacekeeper
patrols Bangui
Slide 19
Europe: If you are a European nation, chances are youre
probably FOR sending some sort of peacekeeping group into the CAR
to help out the situation. France has already stationed about 2000
troops within the CAR (which is its ex-colony), and the EU has very
recently announced they will be sending additional troops to help
out the situation. Africa: The African Union currently has 8000
troops stationed in the CAR. Many nations surrounding the CAR (such
as Gabon, Cameroon, Angola, South Africa, and the Republic of
Congo) currently have sent additional military aid. If you are an
African nation, you most likely support helping out the CAR. Chad:
A tricky situation. With the recent announcement of the pull-out of
Chadian troops, while Chad as a nation may not be willing to
continue contributing militarily, it definitely does not want to
see the conflict spilling over into your borders. Asia/Latin
America: So far there hasnt been a strong stance on this issue.
Such nations are most likely neutral in regards to this matter;
they dont want to see the conflict spread but wont pledge to devote
their own resources to solving it.
Slide 20
The Central African Republic has descended into its current
bloody conflict for 15 months already. UN and Humanitarian Agencies
report that: more than 1000 people have been killed. More than
1,000,000 people have been displaced out of the CARs population of
4,500,000, as a result of this conflict. More than 2.5 million
people are in need of immediate humanitarian assistance.