Security Council Topic 2

Stability in Central Africa

Central Africa has a long history of significant challenges to regional stability, including armed conflict, climate change, political instability, and population increase due to people seeking refuge from nearby conflict areas dominating the region, causing turmoil and instability to those residing there. The UN has worked to address these challenges through various peacekeeping missions and humanitarian assistance. Organizations such as the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), the Economic Community for Central African States (ECCAS), the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), and the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) have been formed to help improve upon the situation in an attempt to bring peace and prosperity to this African region.

The United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) was established in 2011 with five missions: carry out special assignments and keep offices on behalf of the Secretary-General in countries of the sub region, cooperating with and assisting the Economic Community for Central African States (ECCAS) in order to promote peace and stability, support the Department of Political Affairs’ capability to advise the Secretary-General, coordinate with other partners and UN projects in the region to promote an integrated, sub-regional approach with regards to peacekeeping operations and offices, and report to headquarters with regards to to significant developments in the sub-region. The UNOCA mandate has expanded several times over eighteen months to address new challenges, such as preventing electoral violence and terrorist attacks. (Mandate and Missions) Currently, the UNOCA supports the implementation of The Regional Strategy for the Stabilization, Recovery, and Resilience of the Boko-Haram affected areas of the Lake Chad Basin as well as promoting cooperation between affected regions through engagement.

Established in 1983, The Economic Community for Central African States is made up of eleven UN Members States: Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe and Chad. The ECCAS looks to promote cooperation and strengthen regional integration in Central Africa in areas such as political, financial, security, economic, social, and cultural activity, as well as aiming for self-reliance, maintain economic stability, and raise the standard of living, The ECCAS also places great importance on growing and maintaining the current peaceful relationships between its Member States.

The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) is an organization that specializes in gathering information on the entire African continent, their mission being to “…conceptualize, inform, and enhance the debate on human security in Africa in order to support policy formulation and decision-making at every level.” (Institute for Security Studies). Within their studies, they have spoken extensively on the issues of human rights, food security, political instability, and more within the Central African region, as well as its effects on the residents there and other countries outside of Africa.

The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) was established by the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 1994 to handle armed trans-border banditry around the Lake Chad Basin and to facilitate free movement along the northeast border of Nigeria. Since 1998, the MNJTF has grown to include forces from the surrounding areas, including forces from Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Benin, with the goal of cross-border security. After a 2014 attack by Boko Haram, the MNJTF has been mandated to continue to create a more secure and stable environment to reduce violence against civilians as well as protection from other issues such as sexual and gender-based violence. The MNJTF has also been tasked with implementing general stabilization programs in the region, as well as restoring state authority and returning IDPs (internally displaced persons) and refugees, and continuing humanitarian aid and operation to the populations.

All of these separate organizations, alongside many others, work tirelessly to help research and create solutions to the troubles within the region, feeding information back to the United Nations, where they can propose and implement strategies to confront the many complex and ever-evolving issues present in the region.

Your goal as a member of the Security Council is to discuss pre-existing solutions and create new ones regarding stability in Central Africa.

Questions to Consider:

1. What are the primary sources of conflict and instability in Central Africa, and how can they be effectively addressed?
2. What strategies can be implemented or improved to enhance the capacity and effectiveness of peacekeeping missions in Central Africa?
3. How can regional cooperation be improved to address cross-border issues such as trafficking, terrorism, and refugee flows?
4. What role can the United Nations play in promoting good governance in Central African countries?
5. How can international aid and development programs be tailored to address the specific needs and challenges of the region?

Resources to Consider:

“Africa | United Nations Security Council.” Www.un.org, www.un.org/securitycouncil/content/repertoire/africa.

“Central Africa Report | ISS Africa.” Institute for Security Studies, https://issafrica.org/research/central-africa-report

“About Us.” Multinational Joint Task Force, mnjtffmm.org/about/.

Nations, United. “Africa.” United Nations, www.un.org/en/global-issues/africa#:~:text=In%201960%20the%20first%20peacekeeping.

“From Independence to Long-Term Stability: United Nations Efforts in Africa.” United Nations, 2021, www.un.org/en/chronicle/article/independence-long-term-stability-united-nations-efforts-africa.

Bibliography:

“1.2.1. Boko Haram, Including JAS and ISIS-WA.” European Union Agency for Asylum, euaa.europa.eu/country-guidance-nigeria/121-boko-haram-including-jas-and-isis-wa#:~:text=A%20number%20of%20armed%20groups.

“About Us.” Multinational Joint Task Force, mnjtffmm.org/about/.

“Central Africa and the EU | EEAS Website.” Www.eeas.europa.eu, www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/central-africa-and-eu_en.

“Central Africa Faces “Turning Point” amid Multiple Crises | UN News.” News.un.org, 10 Aug. 2023, news.un.org/en/story/2023/06/1137347.

“Facilitating Intraregional Trade in Central Africa Vital to Promoting Stability, Preventing Conflicts in Region, Special Representative Tells Security Council | Meetings Coverage and Press Releases.” Press.un.org, press.un.org/en/2024/sc15721.doc.htm.

“Mandate and Missions.” UNOCA, 12 Aug. 2018, unoca.unmissions.org/en/mandate-and-missions.

“Security Council Renews Mandate of UN Mission in Central African Republic, Adopting Resolution 2709 (2023) | Meetings Coverage and Press Releases.” Press.un.org, press.un.org/en/2023/sc15493.doc.htm#:~:text=The%20Security%20Council%20today%20decided.

“Security Council Stresses Need to Improve Behaviour, Leadership, Accountability in Peacekeeping, Unanimously Adopting Resolution 2436 (2018) | UN Press.” Press.un.org, press.un.org/en/2018/sc13518.doc.htm.

“UNOCA | Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs.” Dppa.un.org, dppa.un.org/en/mission/unoca.