LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE BOARD

“There will one day spring from the brain of science a machine or force so fearful in its
potentialities, so absolutely terrifying, that even man, the fighter, who will dare torture and death
to inflict torture and death, will be appalled, and so abandon war forever."

Dear Delegates,

We are thrilled to welcome you to the United Nations General Assembly- Plenary at Delhi Public
School, Siliguri MUN. This document will provide a piece of basic information and assistance to
proceed with the committee. Whether this is your first conference or you have been doing this for
years, we hope that your interest in the series and love for debate will translate into a common spirit
and help you steer the committee forward. We strongly encourage you to go through the study guide
that has been prepared for you as a part of the conference to get an in-depth understanding of the
agenda that will be discussed in the committee. However, keep in mind that this is not the end of
your research but the beginning. We would encourage you to scrutinize and explore all alternate
possibilities of the plot. Your task at the DPS MUN will be to represent your country's policies
diligently and accurately and to negotiate for solutions that align best with your country's interests.
The more knowledge you come to the conference with, the better you'll be able to seek solutions to
solve the complex issues we'll be facing. We look forward to the potential solutions you in the role of
your country are going to offer. Please note that this Background Guide serves as an introduction to
the topics for this committee. It is not intended to replace individual research. We encourage you to
explore your Member State's policies in-depth and use the overview of the committee, extensive
introductions to the two topics, and annotated bibliography to further your knowledge on these
topics. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us before, during, and after the
conference. We are sure that you will have an amazing experience and are excited to meet you soon.
If you have any questions or concerns on the topic, the Rules of Procedure, or the committee in
general, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Looking forward,

Arko Jyoti Mitra Mukund Agarwal

President (UNGA-PLENARY) Director (UNGA-PLENARY)

INTRODUCTION TO UNGA- PLENARY

The General Assembly Plenary considers issues that are best addressed comprehensively or that
require coordinating work between many bodies of the United Nations. The Plenary has the widest
latitude of the deliberative bodies to discuss and pass resolutions on a wide variety of topics. For
example, the 60th General Assembly established a Peacebuilding Commission that oversees the
United Nations peacebuilding processes and coordinates the work of the Security Council, the
Economic and Social Council, the Secretary-General, and the Member States emerging from conflict
situations. Note: if the Security Council, which is given the primary task of ensuring peace and
security by the Charter, is discussing a particular issue, the General Assembly Plenary will cease its
deliberations and defer to the Security Council. Additionally, only the Fifth Committee can set or
discuss the United Nations budget. No other body, including the Plenary, can do so.
In DPSMUN 2022, The Plenary will be Discussing the “Causes of conflict and the promotion of
durable peace and sustainable development in Africa.”

INTRODUCTION TO THE AGENDA

The UNGA Plenary will be dealing with the persistent and emerging challenges to the promotion of
durable peace and sustainable development in Africa, including the root causes of conflict and
conditions to advance sustainable development, as well as the approach and support of the United
Nations system.
The intercommunal violence in the whole of Africa has been heightened because of the newly
developing accesses provided to terrorist networks. The increasing use of new and more viable
technologies to amass a more destructive impact on the general public, or institutional arrangements
is an important factor. The nexus between terrorism and organized crime is now expanded because
the links to organized criminal networks are providing more financial and logistical support to the
existing terrorist activities in Africa.
Moreover, deficits in the Rule of Law, poor State control when it comes to ammunition, endemic
corruption, and absence of authority are what make Africa not a very conducive place to have
sustainable development. Also, Resolution 2462 of the United Nations Security Council highlights
the relevant need to counter terrorism financing along with avoiding its unintended effects on the
appraisal of humanitarian needs and assistance. In Africa, these counter-extremism methods from the
sides of States have impeded access to the civic section for their existing humanitarian needs.
Forced displacement is also one of the major causes of conflict in Africa. Forced displacement in
Africa not only aligns with the African Union theme of 2019 namely, “Refugees, returnees and
internally displaced persons in Africa: towards durable solutions to forced displacement”, but
also with the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced
Persons in Africa (Kampala Convention), respectively.
Except for these key regions despite its development potential, The Sahel Region faces myriad
challenges that require a vigorous response from governments, regional institutions, and the
international community. These challenges are a constant focus of attention for forums such as the
G5 or the Sahel Alliance, which work to coordinate their security and development efforts. They are
above all the daily focus of attention for the populations, especially its poorest communities, women
and young people, who are concerned for their safety and lack access to the resources required to live
in dignity as well as to healthcare and education services.

BACKGROUND OF THE AGENDA

Africa is a vast and varied continent. African countries have different histories and geographical
conditions, different stages of economic development, different sets of public policies, and different
patterns of internal and international interaction. The sources of conflict in Africa reflect this
diversity and complexity. Some sources are purely internal, some reflect the dynamics of a particular
subregion, and some have important international dimensions. Despite these differences, the sources
of conflict in Africa are linked by some common themes and experiences.
Weak governance, historical animosities, exclusionary politics, contested legitimacy, resource
competition, external factors, globalized conflicts, and extremist ideologies have combined to create
various episodes of violent conflict across the African continent since most countries gained
independence in the 1960s. Millions of lives have been lost and violence has cost African countries
billions as a result of wanton destruction and foregone economic gains, despite numerous attempts to
foster sustainable peace. Over time, the nature and causes of violent conflict have changed as
political, economic, social, and environmental circumstances evolved. The number of African
countries embroiled in violent conflict rose sharply in the 1960s, as groups contested the legitimacy
of post-colonial governance structures. Nigeria's Biafran War is a notable example. In other cases,
contested legitimacy took the form of independence and liberation struggles, which were protracted
and costly in terms of lives and treasure. This second wave of violence coincided with the Cold War
era, which conferred legitimacy on several odious regimes (such as Mobutu's Zaire and South
Africa's apartheid regime). Proxy wars in Angola, Liberia, and Mozambique are also examples of
Cold War-related violence. The end of the Cold War coincided with a gradual opening of African
economies, attempts at more pluralistic governance, and increased globalization. Vacuums created
by decades of weak governance were being filled by non-state actors who, for the most part, were
transnational in nature. After a relative lull of more than a decade, groups such as Al Shabaab in East
Africa, Boko Haram in the Lake Chad Basin, and a host of groups in the northeastern Democratic
Republic of Congo (DRC) contributed to an upsurge of violent conflict after 2010. Also notable
during this period were the post-independence conflict in South Sudan, the Malian crisis, and post-
Gadhafi Libya.
Africa as a whole has begun to make significant economic and political progress in recent years, but
in many parts of the continent, progress remains threatened or impeded by conflict. For the United
Nations, there is no higher goal, no deeper commitment, and no greater ambition than preventing
armed conflict. The prevention of conflict begins and ends with the promotion of human security and
human development. Ensuring human security is, in the broadest sense, the cardinal mission of the
Plenary and the United Nations. Genuine and lasting prevention is the means to achieve that mission.

CAUSES OF CONFLICT

Proliferating terrorism in Africa.

“There are no easy, universal reasons for the roots of terror in Africa”
The word "terrorism" is problematic.
It is often the correct description of obscene acts of violence against civilians, such as the June 2021
attacks in Burkina Faso. But it is also true that throughout the 20th century, weak and corrupt
colonial regimes branded their opponents "terrorists" to outlaw their goals. Especially in Africa, the
colonial powers labeled pro-independence movements terrorists to maintain power, demonize
dissenters, and justify the use of extreme retaliatory measures. , the French authorities in Algeria, the
British in Kenya in the 1950s, the Rhodesian government in the 1970s, and the apartheid regime in
South Africa.
Western perceptions of terrorism in Africa are relatively recent, centered on Islamic jihadism. In
1998, truck bombs planted at the US embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
killed more than 200 people, bringing Al Qaeda to the attention of the American people for the first
time.
Since then, especially after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, a new narrative of the global jihadist threat has
dominated, prompting the international community to criticize a region that has little to do with
global terrorism or religious indoctrination. They may also encourage you to intervene in the
conflict.
The causes of violence and riots in African countries vary widely. The continent is vast, culturally
and linguistically diverse, and the only truly shared experience is the history of European
colonialism. In the Sahel, however, some similar factors are at work. Countries such as Mali, Niger,
and Burkina Faso have suffered from weakened governments characterized by corruption, impunity,
and chaos. That elite has failed to provide security for most of the population. Sahelian armies often
consist of poorly trained and poorly equipped soldiers. Corruption has led unpaid armies to rebellion
and desertion, as happened in Nigeria. Worse than corruption, the Sahelian armed forces are often
viewed as oppressors by marginalized groups. Soldiers are often laymen and rarely fight other states,
instead being used primarily to protect ruling party incumbents.
In Mali, the military and allied militias committed atrocities in central and southern regions in 2018
and 2019, but perpetrators were not brought to justice. This lack of accountability and justice has
fostered animosity between governments in the Sahel and marginalized poor and neglected
communities. Jihadist insurgency thrives in such a void, providing a measure of order in the absence
of hostile government forces providing public goods.
Terrorism in West Africa
Perhaps West Africa's most notorious terrorist activity of the 21st century occurred in Nigeria, due to
the activities of the terrorist group Boko Haram.
Like Mali, Nigeria, one of the world's most populous nations, is plagued by corruption and
incompetence in its government and military, as evidenced by the unprecedented #EndSARS
movement in 2020. It has a long history of efficiency.
These mass protests were a call to action against the brutal crackdown by the Nigerian police, but
also expressed discontent with corruption and injustice in government and society. In October 2020,
a military spokesman described the protests as destructive, with soldiers firing at unarmed protesters
at a toll booth in Lagos.
Weakened by a corrupt patronage network and unwilling to admit its failures, the Nigerian federal
government is increasingly being challenged by young people to become more responsible and
improve their livelihoods. However, against this background, Boko Haram has defied and been
defeated by the government's claims and continues to operate in the country.

Boko Haram
Boko Haram has its roots partly in the legacy of colonial rule and partly in poverty and
marginalization. Founded in 2002 by cleric Mohammed Yusuf, the movement was
based in northeastern Nigeria, which has a long history of distaste for Western schooling and
hostility to the central government.
Boko Haram has changed dramatically since his 2016, far from unifying forces. Boko Haram
preached the creation of the Islamic State and began attacks on government buildings in 2009. That
same year, the situation quickly deteriorated when Nigerian security forces arrested and summarily
executed Mohammed Yusuf. Boko Haram has committed indiscriminate massacres, and sporadic
suicide bombings, including his infamous 2014 kidnapping of 200 children and his 2015 declaration
of allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). , spread terror through mass kidnappings.
Yes, Boko Haram has been far from a unified force since 2016. And the Nigerian government is
trying to reintegrate former Boko Haram fighters into society. But the rebels remain, spreading
across neighboring Chad, Cameroon, and Niger, where fighters are regrouping and recruiting in
conditions of unrest and endemic poverty.
The United Nations estimates that the Boko Haram conflict has displaced more than 3.4 million
civilians across the region.

Terrorism in the Horn of Africa

The "War on Terror" has done much to fuel terrorism in the Horn of Africa. Ethiopia's invasion of
Somalia in 2006 was sponsored by the United States, which sought to expel the Union of Islamic
Courts (Alliance of the Sharia Courts) and al-Shabaab (militia), which controlled the capital
Mogadishu.
The invasion led to an escalating spiral of violence on both sides. Human rights groups have accused
the Ethiopian military of war crimes, while al-Shabaab in the south of the country has escalated into
a full-blown rebellion and declared allegiance to al-Qaeda. Claimed a Sharia state in 2007 and
launched a new element in the civil war: suicide attacks. Despite U.S. airstrikes on its leadership, al-
Shabaab continued to control much of Somalia, enforcing a brutal form of Shariah law and funding
its operations through taxation of the population it controlled, smuggling, and other means. It offers
claimed responsibility for large-scale terrorist attacks, including mid-flight bombings from
Mogadishu in February 2016, a large truck bomb in Mogadishu in October 2017, and the US military
base in Baledgul in September 2019. keeps coming out.

Somali Piracy
Piracy in the Western Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden has all but disappeared from its 2008-2012
peak. Again, the local factor is important in understanding the story.
Somalia was and still is one of the poorest countries in the world, and piracy has resulted in hijacked
crews, local militias guarding hijacked ships, local cooks dealing with hostages, and manufacturers. ,
traders, etc., creating important jobs.

Ransom amounts have often been a trade secret, but the real number of ransoms paid to Somali
pirates in 2009 is around $70 million. To put this in context, cattle exports from Somalia in 2009
were worth $43 million. In 2008, the United Nations estimated that 40% of his piracy proceeds
directly fund local employment.
In 2013, Somali piracy collapsed due to better management practices by shipowners and crews,
armed private guards on ships, and other factors.
It is difficult to ascertain links between terrorists and al-Shabaab or others, but groups such as al-
Shabaab often tax pirate profits and accept bribes rather than organize the attacks themselves. It
seems likely.
By 2020, the concentration of piracy attacks has shifted from the Horn of Africa to the West African
coast, with the Gulf of Guinea accounting for over 95% of her crew hijacks worldwide.

The Future of Terrorism in Africa

To bring stability to a terror-stricken country, external actors, both domestic and multilateral, have
moved from militarily defeating insurgent groups to terrorizing the poor. The primary focus must
shift to countering governance and development aid.

The solution must be political as well as military. The solution must be political as well as military.
In the Sahel, the US and European Union (EU) efforts to strengthen the nation through military
training have had little effect.

Deficit of Rule of Law

Rule of law refers to a principle of governance in which all persons, institutions, and entities,
including the State itself, are accountable to laws that are publicly broadcasted, equally enforced, and
independently adjudicated, and which are consistent with international human rights, norms, and
standards.
The Rule of Law is an integral element of the UN's agenda, in its role as the guardian of international
legal frameworks. Particularly, advancing the Rule of Law stands to directly and positively impact
global economic development and human rights.
There were promising signs that the days of repressive military or one-party dictatorship were over
and that a new era of governance had been ushered in, one guided by the principles of
constitutionalism, democracy, good governance, and rule of law. However, despite the commitment
by African states to respect the rule of law - a commitment which is evident in their constitutions and
their signature and ratification of international and regional instruments imposing this obligation -
the last decade has seen this commitment steadily weaken. Today, there is growing uncertainty as to
whether the post-1990 constitutions indeed can enable the continent to avoid a resurgence of
authoritarianism.
The maintenance of the rule of law is of critical importance: It is the bedrock on which the
democracy and democratic practices needed for political stability and economic growth are founded.
Despite the euphoria of the early 1990s, presently too many countries, such as Burundi, the
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Somalia, and South Sudan, are in turmoil. It may be
argued that the crisis around the rule of law is at the heart of many of Africa's present developmental
predicaments, such as political instability, economic decline, poverty, unemployment, and endemic
corruption.
scores and rankings in the WJP Rule of Law Index 2021,
In a few countries, such as the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo,
Nigeria, and South Sudan, armed groups continued using sexual violence as a tactic of war and
terror, with impunity. Many incidents of rape, forced marriages, and sexual slavery targeted at
women and girls, as well as the recruitment of boys by armed groups, were reported. Attacks on
education also continued, with the abduction of students and teachers, including in Cameroon, where
about 170 students were abducted from a secondary school by separatists in February 2019 and later
regained their freedom. Continued trafficking of migrants in Libya, as well as allegations of brutality
and excessive use of force by law enforcement and security personnel in several countries, especially
in the context of counter-insurgency and counterterrorism efforts, were reported. The failed coup
attempt in the Amhara region in Ethiopia and the excessive use of force by the military against
protesters in Sudan that both occurred in June 2019 undermined the rule of law and constituted
violations of the rights of citizens.
Other shortfalls in the rule of law, as outlined in the African Governance Report, included the
selective application of the law, disregard for public procurement rules and procedures, failure to
respect court decisions, neglect of local and customary practices for dealing with crime and
incumbent presidents manipulating the law and legal processes to retain power. Political vigilantism,
used by incumbent and opposition political parties alike to advance their interests, posed threats to
democratic governance and the rule of law in several countries, notably Ghana.
Improving and upholding the rule of law requires eliminating impunity and investing in coherent and
long-term strategies that promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development and
ensure access to justice for all by building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all
levels, consistent with sustainable Development Goal 16. That imperative remains an integral
element of the work of the United Nations as it continues to assist national authorities, in
collaboration with regional and subregional organizations, in sustaining actions to promote rule of
law.
Natural Resource-based conflicts in Africa

1) Oil, Diamonds, Copper, and Cobalt

The extraction of natural resources through mining (including oil, diamonds, copper, and
cobalt) has enormous positive economic potential for the states. However, these resources can
also do more harm than good if used for ulterior motives such as corruption, unfair
distribution of wealth, and violence. Valuable resources can foster violence through
competition for control of territory, promote looting and rent-seeking, and perpetuate
violence by financing conflict.
In recent years, the incidence of conflicts directly related to these resources has increased -
the frequency of conflict is now five times higher than it was about 10 years ago - although
the number of deaths related to it has decreased. - deaths related to these conflicts are lower
than those seen in the late 1990s. This increased rate of conflict is due to the increasing
prevalence of mining/natural resource-related riots and protests variable. While riots and
demonstrations like these are taking place across Africa, wars for resources and instances of
violence against civilians can only be seen mainly in a few countries. :
Nigeria, Sudan, South Sudan, DR Congo, and Somalia.
In addition to battles and violence against civilians, direct resource conflicts also take the
form of riots and demonstrations in Africa. Resource riots and protests have increased in
recent years. Nigeria and more recently Libya have the highest rates of these events. Not
surprisingly, since Nigeria is the continent's largest oil producer and Libya is home to Africa's
largest oil reserves, the resource riots and protests in these countries have largely focused on
the industry. oil industry. For example, these riots and demonstrations included the closure of
local oil and gas company offices calls for increased transparency, higher wages, and better
working practices.

2) Food and Water

Conflicts related to natural resources, especially the reduction of renewable resources, such as
land and water are not a new phenomenon in Africa. Nature resources are always a direct,
causal, and lasting factor in wars and violent conflict on the continent, but also an essential
aspect of efforts to resolve armed conflict conflicts, especially when they are part of
negotiated peace agreements. The effective and sustainable management and equitable
distribution of the benefits of natural resources are essential to preventing violent conflict and
change.
During the period under consideration, conflicts within the community are increasing and
conflicts between communities over natural resources, especially land and water, include the
increasing stalemate struggle between farmers and ranchers. It was combined with the
impacts of climate change, weather disasters, and environmental stresses, including droughts,
floods, extreme heat, land degradation, desertification, and the effects of natural resource
extraction, as described previously reported. Like the countries in the Sahelian belt region,
especially those around The shrinking Lake Chad basin, as well as the lakes of the Horn of
 Africa, are experiencing bad effects of climate change, land disputes are taking place rapidly
in dangerous dimensions. As noted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United
Nations
United Nations (FAO), This scenario contributes to the exacerbation of food insecurity,
malnutrition, and hunger in Africa, where there are now
undernourished, affecting more than 256 million people.

In 2019, it is pointed out that over the next few decades, competition and conflict related to
the reduction of land and water resources will increase due to increasing climate pressure
climate change, population growth, increasing food insecurity, migration, and urbanization.
There will be profound and devastating effects on agriculture, which is the livelihood support
of more than 80% of Africans, the majority of whom are women. The far-reaching
consequences of these changes in subsistence land and water supplies and food security call
for collective action to protect, restore and promote sustainable use of natural resources and
combat desertification and land degradation, and loss of biodiversity. Invest in renewable
energy and climate-smart agriculture essential to underpin sustainable development that is
climate-resilient and to achieve Sustainable Development Goals 13 and 15 and the goals set
out in Agenda 2063.

ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE UNITED NATIONS

The United Nations system's support and approach to Africa

reflects its unwavering commitment to enhancing cooperation between the system and the
African Union
and regional economic communities, including both within the context of the Joint United
Nations-African Union Framework for Enhanced Peace and Security Partnership, the African
Union-United Nations Framework for the Implementation of the Agenda
2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and hosted the
th session of the Regional Coordinating Mechanism for Africa.

UN Agencies, Departments, Programs, or Affiliates Working in Africa:

● UN Secretary-General & The Security Council | UN Special Adviser on Africa | UN

Geospatial
● Africa Renewal | African Missions | Climate Action & Change | FAO
● International Decade for People of African Descent | UN Peacemaker--Peace Agreements
● UNAIDS | UNCCD | UNCDF| UNCHR (Human
Rights) | UNCHS | UNCTAD | UNDP | Population Division
● UNDDR | UNMEER (Ebola) | UNOWAS | UN
Peacekeeping | UNECA | PADIS | UNEP | UNESCO | UNFPA
● UN-Habitat | UNHCR (Refugees) | UNICEF | UNIDO | UNMAS | UNOCHA | UNODC
(Drugs & Crime) | UNRISD
● UNU | UN Women

Note: This list UN departments will be very helpful while framing solutions to the
agenda .

Peace and Security

The UN continues to deploy its resources to support the efforts of African countries, regional
and sub-regional organizations, and civil society to prevent and resolve conflicts and crises.
The Representative of the Secretary-General and Special Envoy to Africa utilized their good
office role to promote political solutions in the prevention and management of conflicts and
crises as well as strengthen peace.
The UN has also conducted a joint European Union-United Nations Regional Office for
Central Africa (UNOCA)-United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS)
field assessment mission to N’Djamena and Yaoundé in March 2019 to evaluate the impact
of the terrorist attacks led by Boko Haram and other extremist groups and the human rights
and humanitarian situation in the Lake Chad Basin.
United Nations system entities are mobilizing to support the African Union “Silencing the
guns in Africa” initiative.

Good governance and social justice

In implementing Sustainable Development Goal 16, the United Nations system has increased
its support for Africa in promoting peaceful and inclusive societies and strengthening
institutions, including through platforms such as the group of Pathfinders for peaceful, just
and inclusive societies, 6 a multi-stakeholder partnership of has assisted in six African
countries to achieve justice for all everyone. The Joint Program of UNDP-Ministry of
Political Affairs and Peacebuilding on National Capacity Building for Conflict Prevention
has deployed peace and development advisers to more than African countries and assisted
support national partners to implement a variety of strategic initiatives such as facilitating
dialogue at the community level. to resolve grievances and strengthen local and national
peace institutions.
The Department of Economic and Social Affairs has initiated initiatives to work with schools
and public administration institutes to mobilize and equip civil servants to implement the
2030 Agenda and achieve the development goals. sustainable development in Africa. The
project aims to develop Target Programs, centered on Goal 16, which will outline how civil
servants should integrate the Goals into their daily work. A transformational leadership
training module in public sector organizations to implement Agenda 2030 and achieve its
goals has been developed and implemented at many management development institutes
across Africa.

Human rights protection and humanitarian action

The United Nations system supported efforts of countries in Africa to further the
implementation of regional and international human rights and humanitarian law instruments,
strengthen judicial independence, promote access to justice, protect human rights defenders,
address sexual and gender-based violence, and respond to humanitarian emergencies.
Inclusive economic growth and sustainable development

The United Nations system support and approach also focused on promoting inclusive
economic growth and sustainable development in Africa. Efforts in that regard are addressed
in the report of the Secretary-General, entitled “New Partnership for Africa’s
Development: progress in implementation and international support ” (A/74/193)

IMPORTANT RESEARCH LINKS

The following UN Resolutions/Documents are very important for your research:

● (A/74/301)

● (A/52/871)

● (S/2022/643)

● (S/2022/521)

● (A/RES/76/298)

● (A/RES/76/297)

● (A/RES/75/327)

● (A/ RES/75/322)
Note: The ones in bold are mandatory to be read before the conference.

https://www.chathamhouse.org/2021/09/terrorism-africa
http://cielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1996-20962018000100012
https://www.un.org/en/global-issues/africa
https://library.columbia.edu/libraries/global/virtual-libraries/african_studies/un.html#UNSG