Forum:
Security Council
Issue:
Peacekeeping in South Sudan
Vice President:
Contact:
Nazenin Ahta
[email protected] ([email protected])
Description of Issue
South Sudan is a young country located in East-Central Africa and is ranked as one of the least
developed countries (LEDC) in Africa as well as one of the poorest countries in the world. Ever
since she gained independence from Sudan only in 2011, she suffered from civil war and is
politically instable which only worsens the humanitarian crisis that the South Sudanese suffer
from for decades (before independence). As part of the frequent disturbances due to the war,
citizens of different ethnic groups (mainly Dinka and Nuer) brutally murder, hang, drown, etc.
each other which contributes to an estimated number of over 100,000 deaths but the United
Nations lost track of counting throughout the years.
http://gdb.voanews.com/A600DC57-6E0F-4145-A36B-D53CC28FFBDF_mw1024_mh1024_s.png (last access: 24/11/16; 20:37)
Road to independence
In order to understand the current situation in South Sudan you will have to understand her
history and thereby what got her in this situation in the first place.
In January of 1956, former Anglo-Egyptian Sudan gained independence from the United
Kingdom and Egypt, as they shared the rule over Sudan. Sudan was officially her own country
after 56 years of occupation by the United Kingdom. Shortly before that in 1955, the southern
leaders of Sudan accused the new government in charge of not implementing the federal system
and aiming to enforce Islam as the state’s religion on the citizens, which was clearly not in
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favour of them as most of their population belongs to Christianity or other traditional religions.
This resulted in a civil war which only ended in 1972, when the government promised to grant
the south limited authority.
Seen this never took place and the southerners were discriminated against, a new act of
rebellion started in 1983 led by the party Sudan’s People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM)
which formally aimed for a democratic and united Sudan. The fights did not stop and with
ongoing conflict economy, health care, education, infrastructure had no chance of development.
More than a million people died, up to four million were internally displaced and a few
thousands fled to neighbouring countries. Finally, in 2005, the government and the opposition
came to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.
In 2011, the South Sudanese Independence Referendum took place and nearly 98.8% of all
Sudanese voters (including the northern ones) voted in favour of declaring independence from
Sudan.
On the 9th of July 2011, South Sudan formally declared independence.
The independent South Sudan
Gaining independence did not include the end of conflicts as
the present situation in South Sudan shows. The timeline
below will briefly explain how the internal conflicts arose.
(The bold-written words are key terms which are explained
further below)
• Salva Kiir Mayardit, Dinka,took the office of the first president of South Sudan
July 2011 • Rieck Machar, Nuer, took office of the first vice president
Feb.
2013
• Riek Machar stated he will challenge the president
• Kiir reacted dismissing Machar from his office together wih Machar's entire cabinet
• Suspension of national ministers + deputy ministers ( explanation: they did not fulfil
July 2013 their duties)
• Machar reacted stating Kiir is on his way to being a dictator
Dec.
2013
• 15th, Conflict between Dinka and Nuer soldiers in an presidential guard
•
Kiir accused Machar of planning this to overthrow the government
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•
•
•
Dec 2013 •
Machar denied accusations, but split from the SPLM-party
Foundation of SPLM-IO, Machar exiled
Outbreak of civil war, between government and opposition
Ethnic groups Dinka and Nuer started brutal conflict resulting in thousands of
deaths, inlcuding those of civilians and refugees from neighbouring countries
e.g Ethiopia, and internal displacements
• Ceasefire was signed but repeatedly broken, making it superfluous
Jan. 2014
July 2014
August
2015
• UN-Security Council describes the crisis in South Sudan as one of the worst in the
world
• Up to now multiple thousands of death + over one million internal displacements ( side
effect: the humanitarian crisis worsens, leaving over 4mio people in need of
humanitarian aid)
• Under threat of the announced sanctions by the UN, Kiir negotiated a peace treaty
which would bring back Machar into the office of the first Vice president and thus
officially end the civil war
• Introduction of Transitional Government of National Unity
April- • Machar was officially back in office as first vice president, but again dismissed in July
July
due to repeating conflicts
2016
• Third year of severe conflict: situation remains unsettled, ethnic groups contintue to
fight, Pro-Machar forces still actively fight government troops which in general results
Present in the missing security and disturbingly high danger
Side note:
This timeline only includes the internal conflicts of South Sudan but while researching you will
find information on the tense relationship between Sudan and South Sudan. The countries still
have disputes over for example oil, as former Sudan was very rich in oil but with the
independence these oil sources belong to South Sudan. Up to this day several agreements were
made but clashes could not be avoided. I left out this part willingly since I want you to focus
on the internal conflict during the debate but still I advise you to inform yourself on the South
Sudan- Sudan relationship in order to be well prepared!!
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(http://www.welthungerhilfe.de/fileadmin/_processed_/csm_south_sudan_map_conflicts_2dad6bb39b.jpg;last
access 25/11/16; 14:12)
This picture shows the situation of armed conflict as well as food security of 2013-2015. As
you can see armed conflicts are widely spread and most of the time in the central part of South
Sudan that simultaneously is the place with the most urgent need of help.
Background Information
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UNHR):
The UNHR is an international document which was created by a unity of multiple
representatives of member states of the United Nations on the 10th of December in 1948. Its
content lists the basic rights every human on earth is entitled to and which every nation must
ensure for her citizens.
(http://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-rights/ ; last access: 26/11/2016, 17:55)
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Agreement on the Resolution of the conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (2015):
This peace treaty is a result of the UN threatening South Sudan with sanctions. It was signed
by President Kiir on the 17th of August in 2015 in order to resolve the internal conflict in South
Sudan. The content of the treaty consists of several aspects mainly focusing on steps how to
build up a stable government such as the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGNU).
Amongst others it includes Machar taking up his position as the first vice president again.
(https://unmiss.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/final_proposed_compromise_agreement_for
_south_sudan_conflict.pdf ; last access: 26/11/16; 18:24)
Security Council Resolution 2304 (2016) (S/RES/2304):
This resolution was adopted on the 12th of August 2016 by the Security Council and among
others authorizes the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) to use regional task
forces to expand their capability of ensuring peace for the citizens. Additionally, it urges the
Transitional Government of South Sudan to take up its responsibility of ensuring the
implementation of the Peace Agreement of 2015.
(http://www.securitycouncilreport.org/atf/cf/%7B65BFCF9B-6D27-4E9C-8CD3CF6E4FF96FF9%7D/s_res_2304.pdf ; last access: 26/11/16; 18:54)
Security Council Resolution 2290 (2016) (S/RES/2290):
As a mean of urging South Sudan’s government to finally implement the steps of the
Agreement 2015, this resolution contains renewed sanction which will come into effect on the
17th of May 2017 in case the government does not take up its duties.
(http://www.securitycouncilreport.org/atf/cf/%7B65BFCF9B-6D27-4E9C-8CD3CF6E4FF96FF9%7D/s_res_2290.pdf ; last access: 26/11/16; 19:10)
Security Council Resolution 1996 (2011) (S/RES/1996)
This resolution was adopted to ensure peace in the new independent country of South Sudan
and therefore established the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). The task
force contains international peacekeepers which are sent from the member states that are
willing to help. (the mandate of this mission was extended multiple times and is still active)
(http://www.securitycouncilreport.org/atf/cf/%7B65BFCF9B-6D27-4E9C-8CD3CF6E4FF96FF9%7D/Sudan%20SRES%201996.pdf ; last access: 26/11/16; 19:22)
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Key Terms
Peacekeepers:
Peacekeepers are armed troops with blue helmets whose duty it is to protect the civilians, ensure
the delivering of humanitarian aid, monitor, and investigate human rights violations and in
addition support the implementation of the peace agreement. Under no circumstances are the
peacekeepers allowed to use their weapons only when it is meant as defence or protection.
Humanitarian crisis:
This kind of crisis is caused by several factors which endanger the well-being of citizens. In
South Sudan’s case, it is the severe famine, poverty, lack of health care which are all caused
by the decades of exploitation due to colonialism. The external conflict with Sudan and internal
conflicts never made development possible and their effects are over 4 million of South
Sudanese citizens who are suffering from the above-mentioned factors.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanitarian_crisis; last access: 26/11/16, 19:31)
Internal displacement:
Internally displaced people are the opposite of refugees. As refugees cross their country’s
border to seek shelter elsewhere, internally displaced people stay within their country but flee
their home/city.
(http://www.unhcr.org/internally-displaced-people.html; last access: 26/11/16, 19:43)
Salvir Kiir Mayardit:
This man is the current president of South Sudan as mentioned
above. Additionally, he is the head of the government leading
party South Sudanese Liberation Movement (SPLM). It is also
important to know that he belongs to the ethnic group of the
Dinka, which is part of the causes why the Nuer and Dinka have
an armed conflict.
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1
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salva_Kiir_Mayardit#/media/File:Salva_Kiir_Mayardit.jpg
(last access: 26/11/16; 19:50)
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Riek Machar:
He was the former first vice president of South Sudan and
founded the opposition party SPLM-In Opposition (SPLMIO) which, as the name says, opposes the government, and
actively fights it with armed forces. Ethnically he belongs to the
Nuer, which is also (as mentioned before) one of the causes for
the ethnical armed conflict.
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Dinka and Nuer:
The Dinka and Nuer are two ethnic groups in South Sudan which have been enemies for at
least one to two centuries. Their hostilities go far back, as they always had violent disputes
over land, resources or women that resulted in horrifying blood baths. But keep in mind that
this hatred does not apply to everyone of these group. When the boycott in December 2013
took place, the ethnic groups took sides fast and assumed that both political figures acted on
behalf of their hatred towards the other ethnic group. This triggered the constant armed conflict
between the two groups.
Countries and Organisations Involved
South Sudan
The country has been severly suffering in this short amount of time. Although the situation is
in devastating need of help the government still is not in favor of peacekeeping in its country.
Already in the beginning the president rejected the peacekeeping missions but authorized
them eventually since the UN threatened his country with international sacntions such as arm
embargo. Up to this day, Kiir argues that it is a violation of a nation’s souvereighnity to force
a country to receive peacekeepers and additionally the government still hesitates to provide
the peacekeepers with more authority.
2
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riek_Machar#/media/File:Riek_Machar_VOA_photo.jpg (last access: 26/11/16;
19:32)
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UNMISS
The United Nations’ Peacekeeping Mission in South Sudan is currently still active and is
authorized until the 15th of December 2016. Up until now, there are 17,000 troops including
4,000 regional task forces and additionally about 2,000 police personell stationed in South
Sudan. Countries such as China, Bangladesh, Ethiopoia, Egypt, Burkina Faso, etc contributed
between 2,000 and 8,000 troops to the peacekeeping mission. The Peacekeepers are soldiers
with blue helmets who are not allowed to use their weapons unless as defense or protection of
civilians. Reportedly, hundreds of peacekeepers do not fulfil their duty due to the fear of
getting killed in the first place.
Neighbouring Countries: Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya and Sudan
These are the countries that refugees from South Sudan seek shelter in but South Sudan also
receives refugees from these countries especially Ethiopia. As media is very limited in these
countries, citizens often do not know about the situation in the neighbouring countries and
seek shelter in them, not knowing it could be worse. It is a endless circle and sadly, refugees
from the neighbouring countries often get caught in the warfare. The countries the South
Sudanese flee to, do not have the capacities to care for these and assist them with the
humanitarian aid they need which only worsens the situation on both sides.
Useful Sources
 https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/od.html
 http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/special-features/2014/10/141001-southsudan-dinka-nuer-ethiopia-juba-khartoum/
 http://endgenocide.org/conflict-areas/south-sudan-backgrounder/
 http://www.securitycouncilreport.org/undocuments/search.php?IncludeBlogs=10&limit=15&tag=%22Security%20Council%2
0Resolutions%22+AND+%22South%20Sudan%22&ctype=South%20Sudan&rtype=
Security%20Council%20Resolutions&cbtype=south-sudan
 http://www.securitycouncilreport.org/chronology/south-sudan.php
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Expectations for Position Papers
Delegates are expected to write a position paper which is the product of their research on the
issue and the country they will represent during the debate. The paper should be written out of
the view of your country therefore you must refer to yourself with your country’s name or with
the pronoun ‘She’ (e.g. The United States of America/She is deeply disturbed by the
circumstances in South Sudan…). It is required to use formal English.
The position paper is supposed to consist of three paragraphs:
In the first paragraph, you will describe the issue which includes explaining the area the issue
applies to, the individuals, social groups, government, parties and countries that are involved
and what role they have. You will need to point out what exactly caused the issue and to what
extent the effects are shown today. In order to understand the issue, you will have to briefly
explain the history of it but do not go too much into detail because this paragraph should not
be about history only, but about WHAT is happening and WHY it is happening.
The second paragraph consists of what the world has done so far about the problem and exactly
your country thinks this is a problem the world needs to deal with. Describe if and what the
UN has done or is doing about the issue and to what extent it was/is sufficient. You should
include countries and organizations (e.g. NGO’s) as well. But most importantly: What has your
country done so far? Throughout the position paper the opinion of your country should be
clearly stated therefore you should mention it as often as you can.
In the last paragraph, your country will state clear suggestions on how to resolve the issue. Try
to give detailed explanations and what your country is willing to contribute to these solutions.
Keep in mind that the solutions should be ones that the world can take part in and not only your
country as that would not be efficient.
If you have any open questions, feel free to contact me!
([email protected])
Links used for research
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-14019208 (last access: 24/11/16; 20:24)
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/od.html (last access
(24/11/16; 20:15)
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/poverty-matters/2011/jul/08/south-sudanindependence-history (last access: 24/11/16; 21:01)
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http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/plaintexthistories.asp?historyid=aa86 (last access:
24/11/16; 21: 16)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comprehensive_Peace_Agreement (last access: 24/11/16;
21:45)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salva_Kiir_Mayardit (last access: 25/11/16; 14:19)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riek_Machar (last access: 25/11/16; 14:46)
http://www.globalresearch.ca/south-sudan-after-independence-post-conflict-famine-anddespair/5520106 (last access: 25/11/16; 15:38)
http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article49383 ( 25/11/16; 16:25)
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2013/07/201372318388499663.html (last access:
26/11/16; 14:39)
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-14019202 (last access: 26/11/16; 15:16)
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/23/south-sudan-state-that-fell-apart-in-a-week
(last access: 26/11/16; 16:01)
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/03/tens-thousands-killed-south-sudan-war160303054110110.html (last access: 26/11/16; 17:35)
http://www.securitycouncilreport.org/chronology/south-sudan.php (last access: 26/11/16;
18:49)
http://www.sudantribune.com/-News,001- (last access: 26/11/16; 19:42)
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/08/south-sudan-expected-sign-peace-deal-rebels150826084550000.html (last access: 26/11/16; 20:15)
http://reliefweb.int/report/south-sudan/conflict-resurgence-and-agreement-resolution-conflictrepublic-south-sudan (last access: 26/11/16; 21:27)
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