The Special Political and Decolonisation Committee is among the General Assembly committees. It primarily focuses on political disputes and less serious conflicts, however, it can also tackle issues otherwise reserved for the Security Council. It can also act, as it is the case on this year’s GOMUN, as a forum for parties to an international treaty to resolve their misunderstandings outside of the General Assembly and yet within the United Nations.
The Special Political and Decolonisation Committee is among the General Assembly committees. It primarily focuses on political disputes and less serious conflicts, however, it can also tackle issues otherwise reserved for the Security Council. It can also act, as it is the case on this year's GOMUN, as a forum for parties to an international treaty to resolve their misunderstandings outside of the General Assembly and yet within the United Nations.
TOPIC 1: Bringing an end to the Mali War
The Mali War refers to a conflict that began in 2012 in Mali, a West African country, between various rebel groups and the Malian government. The conflict can be traced back to long-standing grievances and tensions between the Tuareg people in northern Mali and the central government, which led to a rebellion by the Tuareg separatist group called the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) in January 2012. However, the situation was further complicated by the emergence of various jihadist groups, including Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), which exploited the instability in northern Mali to expand their influence and control. In March 2012, the Malian military launched a coup against the government, further destabilizing the country. The conflict escalated into a full-blown war, with the MNLA and other rebel groups seizing control of much of northern Mali, including the historic city of Timbuktu. In response, the French military intervened in January 2013 to help the Malian government regain control of the north. This was followed by the deployment of a UN peacekeeping mission, known as MINUSMA, in July 2013, which is still ongoing. Despite these efforts, the conflict has continued to simmer, with sporadic violence and attacks by jihadist groups, as well as inter-communal clashes between different ethnic groups in the country. The situation in Mali remains fragile and complex, with ongoing political and security challenges that need to be addressed to achieve lasting peace and stability.
TOPIC 2: Securing the validity of elections
Election validity has been a subject of debate in various countries across the world, with concerns raised about issues such as voter suppression, fraud, and irregularities. There have been cases where elections have been disputed, challenged, or questioned, often resulting in legal battles, protests, or even violence. It is important to note that allegations of electoral irregularities or fraud can damage public trust in the electoral process, undermine democracy, and lead to social unrest. International organizations, such as the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), provide technical assistance and support to countries to conduct free, fair, and transparent elections. The validity of elections has been attacked all over the world, no matter the democratic or economic situation of a country, election fraud is becoming more and more common and valid elections more and more untrustworthy. What can the UN do to ensure valid and peaceful elections all over the world, especially in conflict-torn countries?
COUNTRY MATRIX:
Beginner: Democratic Republic of Algeria, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kingdom of Spain, Republic of Hungary, Republic of Niger, State of Israel, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Indonesia, Turkey
Intermediate: Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Canada, Kingdom of Norway, Republic of Bulgaria, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Federal Republic of Somalia, the Swiss Confederation
Advanced: Federal Republic of Nigeria, French Republic, People’s Republic of China, Republic of Mali, Russian Federation, the Republic of Burkina Faso, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America