Historical Security Council Study Guide - World Model United Nations

Western powers that has the authority to maintain
the internal integrity of the fledgling nation as well as
maintain and administer the police force, the military,
the social services, and the basic functions of the
state from mail to sanitation.
Economic Issues
The economic system in the Congo is very
precarious. the repatriation of capital from the
Congo back to Belgium needs to be replaced with
an economic system that helps Africans benefit
from the rewards earned by European businesses.
Individual settlers and corporate sponsors enjoy onesided
benefits in the colonial system that needs to
be fixed. 175 in the past few years, the decrease in raw
material prices combined with Belgium’s decision to
withdraw capital from the country as well as saddle
it with longstanding debts to international banks and
foreign governments has left the new Congo in a very
difficult position economically.
With mining making up a significant portion of the Congo’s
economic activity, will the UNSC address this industry?
UN Control
Replacing or augmenting the Belgium forces that
were sent into the country after independence, the
Security Council could decide to send in troops with
the goal to protect the country from devolving into
chaos, and UN troops could operate as stabilizers
of the uneasy peace and serve to enforce cease-fire
agreements. 176 As stated previously, this avenue is
one not taken previously in the UNSC’s history. If
chosen, the UNSC will need to establish this force
as quickly as possible. The UNSC will need to recruit
a force of varying nationalities that is able to satisfy
actors and stakeholders in the UNSC itself and on
the ground in the Congo. A specific mandate for the
troops and a leadership structure will need to be
determined. Weapons and equipment will need to be
budgeted for and purchased by the UN or donated
by UN governments. While it appears as if this is
the preferred avenue for the central government of
the Congo and the US and Soviet governments, the
Tshombe and his CONAKAT party in Katanga, who
seceded from the central government, has had been
bankrolled and supported by European governments
in the past including France, Britain, and Belgium. 177
Belgian Withdrawal
Any infusion of uN troops or recommendation for
the situation in Congo must address the stationing
of Belgian troops that are currently in the country.
Ostensibly there to protect white settlers, this is
somewhat difficult given the isolated residence of
many europeans across the country (though the chaos
in the region has prompted many to head for the few
airports in the new nation). 178 the recommendation
for withdrawal from the Congo will help to provide
legitimacy to the new Congo government and provide
its central government with the opportunity to break
away from its past status as a colonial power. On the
other hand, the rapid withdrawal of Belgian troops
experienced in the region might be a vacuum of
power and move into greater chaos as ethnic groups
and political party leaders attempt to fill the void and
gain control over the region. Also, Europeans seeking
to leave the new country may find themselves
unprotected and left without a ride home if Belgians
leave and face the wrath of a restless population.
Reparations
Because Belgium benefited significantly from the
inflow of capital from the Congo during colonial times,
some have argued that Belgium should be required
to pay reparations for the crimes and slave labor. 179
the recommendation that Belgian pay reparations
for its past abuses and injustices is a solution that
is unlikely to gain support by the Western powers
who had or still have colonial powers that in the
immediate past or long ago were abused to provide
power and prestige to the colonial power. if framed
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