CHAMPIONS CUP
2017
SECURITY COUNCIL
ABOUT ME
Hi! My name is Arvind Jay and for those of you who don’t know me, I was an avid MUN-er in my
university days and was once upon a time, the Sec-Gen of the 2014 edition of this conference.
Over the years, I’ve taken part in 22 conferences, 19 of which as a Security Council delegate so
in many ways, I am truly honored to be given the opportunity to now chair the very council that
molded me to begin with. I recently graduated from the University of Nottingham with a degree
in economics and I’m currently travelling Southeast Asia and Europe before I commence my
career at Maybank over the summer. I absolutely enjoy armchair discussions about all things
philosophy, politics and the rule of law so feel free to engage with me on anything related to
the aforementioned topics when we meet in 2 weeks ;) Very much looking forward to an
engaging and productive council session with you all and best of luck with preparations!
BRIEF INTRODUCTION
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a sub-saharan African country covering over 2.34
million square miles with a population of approximately 70 million people. Situated in the heart
of the African continent and surrounded by an astounding 9 neighbor nations including the
Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, South Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi,
Zambia, Angola, it continues to be a hotbed of violence and political instability ever since the
outbreak of the Second Congo War in August 1998. In what has come to be known as “Africa’s
World War” and by far the world’s bloodiest conflict since the end of the Second World War,
the conflict in the DRC has already claimed the lives of more than 6 million innocent civilians
with refugees or the internally-displaced numbering a further 2.7 million. Although initially
sparked as an adverse reaction by local rebel forces towards the newly-installed regime of
Laurent Kabila (father of incumbent president Joseph Kabila) who unscrupulously attempted to
tighten his grip on power, today, the conflict is fueled by a complex web of primary drivers
ranging from competing political ideologies to a race between national as well as international
actors with vested interests in exploiting the country’s vast natural resource wealth. Amidst the
ongoing state of emergency that the DRC finds itself enveloped in, it is estimated that over
45,000 people continue to perish each month (47% of whom are children under the age of 18)
either as a direct result of the conflict or otherwise. In fact, NGOs continue to point out that a
large majority of these deaths are in fact attributable to non-violent means such as disease
(cholera, dysentery, malaria and pneumonia) and malnutrition caused by the severance of vital
medical supply lines as a direct result of hostilities, a predicament which would otherwise be
preventable under normal circumstances.
It is estimated that there are approximately 70 distinct armed militia groups operating within
the conflict zone of eastern DRC at present. Despite the presence of over 20,000 UN
peacekeeping troops in the region since 2000, the more prominent of these militias such as the
Ugandan Allied Democratic Force (ADF) and the Democratic Force for the Liberation of Rwanda
(FDLR) continue to challenge government rule in provincial regions, terrorize local populations
with impunity and illegally extract the country’s rich mineral wealth as a primary source of
income.
Meanwhile, in Kinshasa, the DRC capital, following a series of brutal political clampdowns
aimed at silencing an increasingly vocal but disunited opposition for the past two years, there is
little doubt that 2017 will prove to be a decisive year for the people of the Democratic Republic
of Congo. This is in light of the landmark agreement of 31st of December 2016 which was
moderated by the Catholic Church and signed by members of the ruling coalition, opposition
parties and a number of civil society groups which includes an unwavering pledge from the
government to hold presidential elections before the end of 2017 and a clear commitment from
President Kabila himself not to seek a third term in office. The ruling coalition has also promised
that there will be no further alterations to the national constitution or commencement of snap
referendums in any form. Arguably a watershed moment in the DRC’s continued struggle for
peace and stability, only time will tell if the deal will prove to be a stepping stone towards the
troubled African nation’s first truly peaceful democratic transition since independence.
HISTORICAL TIMELINE
Early Days of Independence

1960 - Congo gains independence from Belgium with Patrice Lumumba as Prime
Minister and Joseph Kasavubu as President - Kasavubu dismisses Lumumba and has him
arrested by December; Congolese Army mutinies as Moise Tshombe declares Katanga
independent,

1961 - Lumumba is murdered (allegedly with American and Belgian support); UN starts
disarmament of breakaway Katanga soldier faction

1964 - Tshombe agrees to a compromise and ends Katanga’s claim to secede; Tshombe
appointed as PM by President Kasavubu.
Mobutu’s Reign of Power

1965 - Joseph Mobutu launches successful coup and overthrows Kasavubu and Tshombe
from power

1973 - Nationalization of foreign-owned businesses that forces European investors to
flee.

1989 - DRC defaults on Belgian loans; economy goes into freefall

1990 - Mobutu concedes to end one-party system and pledges to form transitional
government but still retains considerable amount of power

1991 - Riots in Kinshasa by unpaid soldiers of the Congolese army causes Mobutu to
enter into a power sharing agreement within a coalition government with opposition
figureheads

1994 - Civil war breaks out in neighboring Rwanda between Hutu and Tutsi; millions of
refugees flee the conflict zone with an estimated 2 million Hutus having sought refuge in
eastern Congo.

1996 - Start of First Congo War : Tutsi rebels take control of large swathes of Eastern
DRC while President Mobutu seeks medical treatment abroad
First & Second Congo Wars

1997 - End of First Congo War : Anti-Mobutu rebels led by the Rwandan Tutsis take
control of the DRC capital (Kinshasa), deposes Mobutu and installs Laurent Kabila as
President

1998 - Start of Second Congo War : Rebel forces sponsored by Uganda and Rwanda in
the east attempt to depose Kabila; Angola, Namibia and Zimbabwe send reinforcements
to fight off the rebels; the coup against Kabila fails but the rebels capture and control a
large section of east DRC

1999 - Lusaka peace accords signed involving the 6 aforementioned countries involved
in the conflict. Accords also signed by the Rwandan-backed Rally for Congolese
Democracy (RCD) rebel faction and the Ugandan-backed Congolese Liberation
Movement (MLC) rebels which had been at loggerheads with one another a few months
prior.

2000 - Skirmishes continue to break out between government, rebel as well as Rwandan
and Ugandan forces; UNSC authorizes 5,500-strong MONUC peacekeeping force to
monitor implementation of ceasefire but MONUC is powerless to enforce it.

2001 - Laurent Kabila shot dead by bodyguard; succeeded by 30 year-old son Joseph

2002 - DRC sign peace agreements with both Uganda and Rwanda for the withdrawal of
their respective rebel factions from Eastern Congo in exchange for power-sharing deal in
new interim government; Peace deal signed in South Africa later that year involving
opposition parties and remaining rebel groups that promise the signatories portfolios in
the future interim government.

2003 - End of Second Congo War : Kabila signs transitional constitution with view to an
election for the promised interim government; Kabila names transitional government
with leaders of former rebel groups sworn-in as Vice-Presidents
New Constitution & Elections

2004 - Failed coup attempt in Kinshasa + renewed skirmished between Congolese army
and breakaway factions of rebel groups in eastern DRC; Rwanda and Uganda
categorically deny involvement

2005 - New constitution, agreed upon by all former warring parties adopted by
parliament; constitution receives voter-backing thus laying the foundations for country’s
first elections in 2006

2006 - New constitution comes into force; Congolese army + UN peacekeepers attempt
to disarm rebels in the north-east in run-up to the elections; Kabila declared winner in
October run-off after July stalemate; clashes across the country between government
forces and forces loyal to losing presidential candidate nominee, most notably in Kivu.
Conflict in Eastern Congo

2007 - Clashes continue in the east with numerous renegade Congolese army factions
(led by General Nkunda) and breakaway rebel groups taking advantage of the instability
to further vested interests.

2008 - Thousands displaced as fighting intensifies in the east between as chaos grips the
provincial capital, Goma; UNSC approves enlargement of peacekeeping force;
government launches offensive against Rwandan Hutu militias and Ugandan-based
Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) led by Joseph Kony as civilians flee conflict zone

2009 - Renegade Gen. Nkunda is replaced by Ntaganda; Kabila approves law granting
amnesty to rebels for laying down their arms; Ntaganda’s CNDP signs peace agreement
with government to be reintegrated into the Congolese army.

2010 - Tensions between DRC and UN increase as government increases pressure to
withdraw prior to the upcoming 2011 elections; multiple UN reports condemn atrocities
and war crimes committed by both sides of previous DRC conflicts in decades past.

2011 - Constitution altered early that year (allegedly to boost Kabila’s chances in
upcoming election); failed coup attempt against government; Kabila wins another term
but election results heavily disputed by opposition and watchdogs alike.
Rebel Group Resurgence

2012 - March 23 (M23) movement formed by Ntaganda’s followers over government’s
intransigence to implement reintegration of CNDP as per 2009 agreement; M23
successfully takes Goma, effectively forcing thousands to flee; UNSC sanctions M23 and
authorises additional troops (FIB) to aid Congolese army (FARDC).

2013 - M23 declares temporary ceasefire ahead of peace talks in Ethiopia involving 11
African countries to end conflict in Eastern Congo but continues offensive afterwards;
Joint FARDC-FIB offensive against M23 results in peace agreement with Congolese
government after forces capture rebel stronghold; Ntaganda surrenders to US embassy
in Rwanda and is extradited to the ICC to face charges of war crimes.

2014 - Government offensive against M23 in previous 2 years allowed other rebel
factions in the east such as FDLR and Mai-Mai Sheka to regroup and launch fresh
campaigns; skirmishes continue along eastern border.
Political Uncertainty

2015 - Proposed electoral law change (alleged by opposition parties to keep Kabila in
power) cause mass demonstrations that kills dozens in the capital, Kinshasa

2016 - Former governor of Katanga province, Moise Katumbi announces he will
challenge Kabila for the presidency but is immediately issued an arrest warrant; PM
Matata Ponyo and entire cabinet resigns as part of deal between Kabila’s government
coalition and the opposition to delay presidential elections till the end of 2017.
KEY PLAYERS
Militia Groups
The Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR)
The FDLR currently operates in eastern Congo and Katanga province with an estimated 2,000
combatants. Formed by Hutus linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide, many fled the country
following the rout by government forces and regrouped in the DRC to form the FDLR whilst
plotting their return to power. Their stated aim is to put military pressure on the Rwandan
government to open an "inter-Rwandan dialogue" and although Laurent Kabila formed an
alliance with the FLDR, Joseph Kabila allowed Rwandan troops to pursue the FDLR In 2009.
The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF)
ADF is a Ugandan rebel group based along the Rwenzori Mountains of eastern Congo that
currently numbers approximately 500 combatants. One of the oldest militia groups in the DRC,
most of its members are Islamists who want to establish Shari'a law in the DRC and have been
active in the Beni district of North Kivu since 1996. The ADF originally established themselves as
coalition of militiamen from Western Uganda who found themselves marginalized following the
fall of Dictator Idi Amin.
The Lord's Resistance Army (LRA)
The LRA is a Ugandan rebel group currently based along the northern border areas of Congo as
well as in the eastern Central African Republic. Originally founded by a woman from the Acholi
tribe in Northern Uganda to defend their rights amidst increasing racial hostilities, her cousin,
Joseph Kony took over as group leader in 1986 and has been actively recruiting civilians and
child soldiers to achieve his political aims.
The National Liberation Forces (FNL)
FNL is a Burundian rebel group originally formed in 1985 as the military wing of the Hutu-led
rebel group, the PALIPEHUTU. They continue to operate in the Ruhuha and Magunda regions of
the South Kivu plateau. Although they have been divided and weakened since early 2013, the
FNL currently appear to be in an alliance with Mai Mai Yakutumba and the FDLR in South Kivu.
Mai-Mai Militias
The most prolific recruiters of child soldiers in the DRC, the term “Mai-Mai” refer to a range of
local and community-based militias who were active during the two Congo Wars between 1996
and 2003. There are currently six Mai-Mai militias (community-based militia groups) operating
in the Kivus: the Mai-Mai Yakutumba, Raia Mutomboki, Mai-Mai Nyakiliba, Mai-Mai Fujo, MaiMai Kirikicho, and Resistance Nationale Congolaise.
INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE
United Nations Security Council
1. July 1999 : Resolution 1279 - Established UN Org Mission in DRC (MONUC)
peacekeeping force following Lusaka Accords - succeeded in July 2010 by MONUSCO
2. July 2003 : Resolution 1493 - First of many sanctions to be placed on the DRC - arms
embargo placed on militias in Ituri, North and South Kivu.
3. Jan 2013 : Additional arms embargo placed on M23 + FDLR rebels, especially on the
leaders of the former.
4. Mar 2013 : UNSC approves creation of Force Intervention Brigade (FIB) with
unprecedented mandate to “use force and offensive tactics if deemed necessary” to
enforce the arms embargo, neutralise rebel groups and ensure civilian protection - steps
aimed at eradicating the M23 in eastern DRC which it achieved in Nov 2013.
5. Oct 2013 : No UNSC resolution BUT Rwanda and Uganda condemned for their role in
forcibly conscripting young men and supplying arms, intelligence and munitions to M23
rebels - US, UK & EU sever military aid to Rwanda.
United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
1. Oct 2010 : OHCHR release 566-page report mapping out 617 different incidents of gross
human right violations and crimes against humanity over the past decade of conflict in
DRC - alleged that atrocities were committed by almost all belligerents.
2. Mar 2011 : OHCHR releases additional report on sexual violence in DRC - called for the
establishment of a reparations fund for sexual abuse victims.
3. July 2013 : OHCHR releases follow-up report to assess progress made by government
officials over past 2 years - concluded that abuses increased during that period and little
effort was made to implement remedies for the conflict as per recommended.
International Criminal Court
1. Apr 2004 : President Kabila refers DRC to the ICC - ICC formally opens investigation on
war crimes committed in the DRC.
2. Mar 2012 : Thomas Lubanga, UPC rebel group leader officially convicted of
atrocities and sentenced to 14 years in prison.
3. Mar 2013 : M23 leader Ntaganda turns himself in to US Embassy in Kigali after M23
defeat two days prior - currently awaiting trial at The Hague.
USEFUL LINKS
BBC Country Profile of DRC
: https://goo.gl/Bj3eDz
Origins of Conflict (The Atlantic)
: https://goo.gl/t3Z81o
Analysis of Conflict (NY Times)
: https://goo.gl/gwBWtA
UN Efforts in the DRC
: https://goo.gl/ixqoaa
CFR InfoGuide Report
: https://goo.gl/D6Bj1E
Key Players in DRC Conflict
: https://goo.gl/q448Ds
Human Rights Watch Reports
: https://goo.gl/QB8zQW
The Economist IU Analyses
: https://goo.gl/X3vePT