Sanctions and enforcement

The Republic of Angola believes that sanctions, when appropriately focused and effectively enforced, can serve as a needed tool for limiting the power and destructiveness of groups or regimes that counteract peace. Having partnered with the United Nations from 1997-2002 in imposing sanctions on territories within its own borders, Angola offers an authoritative perspective on this topic. By helping sanction the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) for its terrorist actions, as first outlined in Security Council Resolution 1127 (1997), our experience demonstrates an alternative to levying comprehensive sanctions against entire nation-states that could possibly deteriorate conditions for innocent populaces. Angola believes that UN sanctions can and should be used to exclusively target offending groups within a nation when the nation requires international support to diminish the rogue groups’ power. For such measures to prove successful, active cooperation of the international community is crucial. Angola believes that all UN member nations have the responsibility and obligation to comply with trade restrictions prescribed in UN-passed sanctions. Sanctions-busting is an inexcusable practice that counteracts UN mandate and bolsters terrorism. Angola believes that the UN could maximize effectiveness of international sanctions by using the enforcement mechanisms outlined in the Fowler Report (S/2000/203, March 10, 2000) to discipline member nations in violation. Angola will support resolutions that call for economic or military sanctions to be placed on member nations that contravene UN-passed sanctions.
—Ben Beachy, Goshen College, 2004.

Peacemaking and nation building

Angola is committed to the goals of peacemaking and nation building so long as the process of working towards these goals reflects the realities of the conflicts to be resolved. After over two decades of destructive civil war, Angola welcomes the end of fighting within its borders and wishes to further the process of reconciling with former rebels. Yet, Angola believes such moves towards peace in any nation should originate from the sovereign government of that nation rather than being imposed from outside bodies. UN peacemaking and nation-building proposals must be made with consistent direction from the bodies that govern the nations of conflict so that prescribed solutions fairly target the source of violence. Otherwise, outside bodies such as the UN run the risk of punishing innocents and complying with criminals. Angola will back resolutions that would require the implementation of future UN peacemaking missions to be contingent on the support and direction of the target nation’s sovereign government.
—Ben Beachy, Goshen College, 2004.

Nuclear materials security

Angola believes the issue of nuclear materials security is a dire matter that impacts the safety of any nation. While Angola does not have its own nuclear materials program, we are concerned about other countries’ materials getting into the wrong hands. We are especially concerned for our own security given the historically large flow of weapons that has traversed our national borders and been used by rebel groups to terrorize the Angolan populace. It is for this reason that Angola joined the International Atomic Energy Agency in 1999 and that we pledge to continue working with multilateral efforts to secure dangerous nuclear materials.
—Ben Beachy, Goshen College, 2004.

Creating an AU peacekeeping force

Angola supports the creation of a UA Peacekeeping Force. We are members of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP). CPLP came to an agreement to work at establishing a peacekeeping force that could be deployed in Portuguese-speaking countries. We envision a similar agreement among the members of the African Union. We would support a resolution to crate a UA Peacekeeping force of willing members of the UA. It is important that all the countries of Africa are in this together. It is our goal to work with the UA to create a peaceful Africa.
—Nathan Shenk, Goshen College, 2004.

Strengthening African economies through good governance

Angola encourages African countries to take steps to improve their infrastructures through new policies. We voted for the draft resolution; document A/58/L.31/Rev.1, to help assist the Democratic Republic of Congo to economic recovery. This resolution includes a call for the international community to increase its support for humanitarian relief to the DR Congo. We want to work together with other countries in the African Union to promote economic growth in all countries in the African Union (AU). However at the same time we strongly urge all nations receiving aid to work towards transparency, so that they can be accountable to the AU with their use of the aid given them. Countries that would not agree to this would hinder their chances of receiving aid. We also encourage all countries to work towards democratization and a multi-party system. As stated in article 4 of our constitution, “Political parties, within the frame work of the present law and statutory laws, shall compete, on the basis of a project for society and a political program, to organize and express the will of citizens, participating in political life and the exercise of universal suffrage by democratic and peaceful means.” We believe that all the citizens of Africa should have the freedom to elect their leaders. Leaders who are voted in are much more likely to have the good of their people at heart.
—Nathan Shenk, Goshen College, 2004.

The impact of poverty on environmental sustainability

We believe that large segments of the population should not be locked in poverty. At this point we are receiving food aid from the UN to the people of our country that need it most. We look forward to the day when we are able to fully support every person in our country. To make this dream a reality we need to boost our economy to the level where all of our cities and towns can support themselves. In encouraging industrial growth we want to always consider how we are effecting the environment. Article 24 of our constitution states, “All citizens shall have the right to live in a healthy and unpolluted environment…Acts that damage or directly or indirectly jeopardize conservation of the environment shall be punishable by law.” We want to continue to improve the lives of our citizens while at the same time protecting our environment. We would support a resolution to create a new committee in the AU to oversee environmental situations in AU countries. This committee could create regulations to be followed and have the power to punish those not following regulations. All AU countries would have a representative in the committee and regulations would be passed with a three fourths majority.
—Nathan Shenk, Goshen College, 2004.

Disclaimer: The content provided on this page represents student scholarship pertaining to the individual's participation in the Dayton Model United Nations Conference (DAYMUNC) and should NOT be construed as the official policy of any sovereign state or nongovernmental organization.