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Committee : African Union
Issue : Topic A-Strengthening Border Security of African Nations
Topic B-Rights of Women and Children in Armed Conflicts
Chairpersons: Mark Chen, Angela Chen, Stephanie Chen
Assistant: Tony Hsu
Overview of the African Union
Background
In the 19th century, New Imperialism and Colonialism
dominated the western countries. European powers such as
France, Germany, and Great Britain put full effort in the
competition of occupying colonies, with the Africa continent
being the most tortured victim. Having strong desire on
praying on the rich natural resources and exploiting the
bountiful manpower, the empires strove to expand their
forces and successfully maintained control of their territories
until the mid-20th century. It was not until then did the
African countries gain independence as the colonial empires
released their control over them.
History
After the colonization era, the independent nations in
Africa began to cooperate with an eye to unite together and
prevent such invasion from happening. The origins of the
African Union can be traced back to the 1960’s when the
Union of African States was established as an early
confederation to the foundation of Organization of African
Unity (OAU) and the African Economic Community in the 1980’s.
Union of African States
A short lasting union of three West African states - Mali,
Ghana, and Guinea, the Union of African States was framed by
African revolutionaries such as Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana and
Sékou Touré, the president of Guinea. Nevertheless, the Union
fell apart when Guinea started to reach out to the United States
in 1962.
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Organization of African Unity
In 1963, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) was established in Addis Ababa, the capital city of
Ethiopia. After achieving several notable accomplishments, however, it was dissolved by its last chairperson,
South African President Thabo Mbeki and replaced by the African Union for advanced requirement in 2002.
Establishment of the African Union
The launch of the African Union was led by the leadership of Libyan, head of state, Muammar al-Gaddafi
in the mid-1990. Since 1999, four consecutive summits had been held, leading to the official launching of the
African Union:
In 1999, the Sirte Extraordinary Session decided to establish an African Union;
In 2000, the Lome Summit adopted the Constitutive Act of the Union;
In 2001, the Lusaka Summit drew the road map for the implementation of the AU;
In 2002, the Durban Summit launched the AU and convened the 1st Assembly of the Heads of States of the
African Union.
Exception
The African Union now includes all nations of the African continent, in exclusive of Morocco. Being the
only African state that is not a member of the African Union, Morocco withdrew from the OAU in 1984 to
protest the support of other member states toward Sahrawi Republic. Since then, some countries have revoked
their endorsement for the Sahrawi Republic.
Objectives
“An integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic
force in global arena” is the ultimate vision of the AU. To realize this vision, a long-term endeavor is bound to
be made by all African nations. The main objectives are to intensify unity among African States and to promote
coordination for country development, sovereignty, and international cooperation. In order to reach the goals,
the AU has set up several organizations such as the Assembly, Peace and Security Council, Pan-African
Parliament, also a few specialized committees and financial institutions affiliated.
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Topic A：
Strengthening Border Security of African Nations
General Overview
The borders of African nations today were mostly drawn in
the period of New Imperialism, sometimes known as the
“Scramble for Africa”. However, since African countries gained
independence in the 1960s, the borders have been a recurrent
source of conflicts and disputes on the continent. A series of
severe issues related to border security includes strategic natural
resources in cross-border areas, land border disputes and
violence, illegal migration, cross-border crime, and infiltration of
rebels. Conflicts on border understandings have also caused
tension while there is also risk that it might escalate. Although
multiple solutions have been adopted, these issues still require
more attention and more feasible approaches toward them.
Current efforts
1. Lesotho, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe have been placing military units & police operations
along borders to control illegal migration and smuggling.
2. United Nations:
(1) Resolution 2195 (2014) has urged international action to break links between terrorists & transnational
organized crime
(2) Resolution 1509 (2003), which targeted on solving the Liberian Situation
3. African Union:
(1)African Union Border Programme (AUBP)
(2)African Union Convention On Cross‐Border Cooperation (Niamey Convention)
Tensions and Difficulties
Natural resources
Despite the adverse weather conditions,
Africa possesses a large quantity of natural
resources including gold, diamonds, fossil fuel,
and so forth, bringing about not only the
European’s plunder of the continent but also
modern conflicts over national interests among
neighboring countries. Ownerships of water
source are of problematic issues as well, which
can be seen from the Nile conflict.
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<Sudan/South Sudan>
Conflicts between Sudan and South Sudan haven’t
been on the wane although the two countries separated in
2011. Controversial issues, including oil and border
demarcation, have not been resolved. Unresolved areas
such as Darfur, Abyei, South Kordofan, and Blue Nile (the
“Two Areas”) have become sovereignty dilemma due to
uncontrollable rebel groups and the shared oil fields within
them, which results in continuing violence.
<East Africa>
The discovery of significant reserves of oil and gas in East Africa fuels tensions in the region. Uganda and
Rwanda, neighboring states of the mineral-rich Democratic Republic of Congo, are believed to be intensifying
the conflict by supporting rebel groups for the purpose of gaining access to the resources in DRC. Moreover,
Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania, Zanzibar, South Sudan, and Uganda are all engaged in arguments over border, which
have exacerbated with the discovery of minerals.
Political factors
The complex historical background of Africa eventually leads to intractable border issues. Even after UN
arbitration, conflicts between Ethiopia and Eritrea didn’t seem to cease. The two nations have had several
armed clashes throughout a decade. The disputed territory bordered by Morocco, Mauritania, and Algeria,
known as the Western Sahara, has long been the heart of the conflicts. The tense situation only got worse after
the withdrawal of Spanish and France colonial forces. In the long term, there are still numerous disputes to be
untangled.
<Terrorism>
There has been a long history of combating terrorism
in Africa. Terrorism has its root in the political instability of
several regions, and vice versa.
The notorious Boko Haram, which also referred to
itself as the "Nigerian Taliban", has been throwing deadly
terror attacks, claiming thousands of lives during the past
years. Its aim is to replace the current Nigerian
government with an Islamic regime. As the insurgency
force grows stronger, it is indisputably posing a huge threat
to the regional border security.
Another well-known terrorist group is the Harakat alShabaab al-Mujahideen, commonly known as the alShabaab. It was the militant wing of the Somali Council of
Islamic Courts and has committed crimes such as
kidnapping, robbing, and other brutal attacks mostly in
Somalia and Kenya. Although efforts have been made by
the two nations and the UN, the Islamic insurgent group still threatens Kenya and the Horn of Africa.
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Terrorism in Africa seriously imperils border security, not only costing lives but aggravating children and
women slavery as well as prostitution, which makes enhancing counterterrorism capacity throughout the
broader region more urgent than ever.
<Others>
Apart from the factors mentioned above, African border security is still faced with several difficulties such
as cultural and religious differences. Criminal activities like smuggling and illegal migrations have also been
quite an issue, which, along with contagious diseases, bring more hardship to build up cross border security in
the continent.
Difficulties
There is no easy solution that can be applied to the complicated border issues. Nations may be led by
strong leaders, however, feeble organizations and finite power over distant areas disabled them to control
borders which are often the focus of conflicts – especially when they often lack legality in these areas through
political and economic policies that overlooked them. What is necessary is a continent-wide approach to
borders for the African Union to go beyond resolving the conflicts through intervention forces. Attempts at
peacemaking must be taken seriously as the body representing the continent in the long run of borders and
people constrained, split or made almost stateless by them.
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Topic B：
Rights of Women and Children in Armed Conflicts
General Overview
The adoption of Universal Declaration of Human Rights(UNCRC), African Union’s Maputo Protocol, and
Children’s Charter were to call upon States to ensure that they respect women’s and children’s equality, dignity,
and the right not to be subjected to cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment or punishment. Nevertheless,
multiple forms of human rights violations continue to take place in armed conflicts, in massacre or military use
of children, and in gender-based violence such as rape and sexual mutilation of women and children, mostly
used as a tactic of war. Hence, more effective implementation should be ratified and executed in order to
eradicate all forms of violence against women and children in conflict situations.
Current Approaches
1. UNICEF: commitments on legislation and
children rights protection
2. United Nations
(1) General Assembly, Resolution 3318(1974)
(2) Security Council, Resolution 1325 (2000)
(3) Security Council, Resolution 1820 (2008)
 Internal Armed
ConflictInternational Legal
Framework
Concerning
Women and
Children
Tensions and Difficulties
Women
In Africa, women face tensions such as discrimination, unfair treatment, fewer opportunities, and worse
condition. Most of the time, women in Africa are viewed as inferior to men. Due to this reason, women are
often treated unequally to the men.
Women, unlike men, are expected to stay at home nurturing kids, doing house chores or farming the
fields while men are outside working or looking for jobs. With that belief in mind, families tend to spend
money on letting boys go to school and leaving girls at home. This belief that women are inferior to men makes
women less educated comparing to men and also creates fewer employment chances for women.
Another difficulty women face is their health issues. According to The United Nations Children’s Fund
(UNICEF), two fifth of African girls are married at age below 18. Since girls are not fully developed and
physically mature below age 18, it creates problems dealing with production and even risks their lives during
childbirth.
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Children
Children are perhaps the population that suffers the most in Africa. In Africa, both adults and children
suffer from poverty, which leads to malnutrition and vile sanitation. However, since children are more
vulnerable, they become the most severe victims. According to the African Union, in sub-Saharan Africa, one in
every six children fails to reach the age of five.
Besides health issues, children are also confronted with the burden of income. In many families, because
of poverty, both adults and children hold the responsibility to bring home the bacon. Many children are also
sent to beg on streets or work in fields as farm servants. They are often put in terrible working conditions such
as long working hours and painstaking labor work with only a little amount of salary.
Another serious difficulty faced with children is the opportunity to receive proper education. Since most
children need to spend time earning income, they wouldn’t have the time or money to attend school. There
are kids who attend primary school but drop out of school so as to get a job to support their family. Other than
the reason of poverty, many girls are often discouraged to receive education due to religious and traditional
beliefs.
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Women and Children in Armed Conflicts
The mentioned difficulties which women and children face are either direct or underlying causes that
make them the vulnerable ones in armed conflicts. According to the United Nations, 90 percent of wartime
casualties are civilians while the majorities are children and women; whereas a century ago, most victims were
military personnel. War has not only created numerous deaths, but has also violated basic human rights. In
places such as Africa, where women’s statuses are traditionally lower than men, women often endure the most
threat and violence. Some problems women face during war are sexual violence such as rape, forced
prostitution, forced pregnancy, sexual slavery and forced sterilization. In terms of the consequences of war,
among the refugee flows and internal displacement, 75-90 percent is women and children.
Delegate Assignment
Here is a task for you to complete before the conference. Please answer the three following questions
and email it to [email protected] before 7/26.
1. Please briefly introduce the history of your country/organization in approximately 150 words.
2. Please summarize one of the conflicts related to border issues your country/ organization is involved in in
about 100 words.
3. Please elaborate your country’s/organization’s position toward the protection of women and children in
armed conflicts.
Feel free to email any one of us if you have any questions!
Mark Chen : [email protected]
Stephanie Chen : [email protected]
Angela Chen : [email protected]
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References
1. African Union-AU
http://www.au.int/en/
2. Vision of the African Union-AU
http://www.au.int/en/about/vision
3. African Union Border Programme (AUBP)-AU
http://www.peaceau.org/en/page/27-au-border-programme-aubp
4. Security Council, Adopting Resolution 2195 (2014)-UN
http://www.un.org/press/en/2014/sc11717.doc.htm
5. Peacebuilding / Security-IMUNA
http://nhsmun.org/issue/peacebuilding-security?page=5
6. Women peace and security- Women War Peace
http://www.womenwarpeace.org/
7. 283: Resolution on the Situation of Women and Children in Armed Conflict-ACHPR
http://www.achpr.org/sessions/55th/resolutions/283/
8. Women and Armed Conflict-UN
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/followup/session/presskit/fs5.htm
9. Women and Children in armed conflicts/Gender mainstreaming-AU
http://www.peaceau.org/en/topic/women-and-children-in-armed-conflicts-gender-mainstreaming