Nigerian government called corrupt by United Kingdom
UNITED NATIONS, Aug 24 (Xinhua) — Having settled their first issue earlier today, the United Nations Security Council moved on to their second agenda, the issue of the Niger Delta. Following the discontinuation of the Presidential Amnesty Program, which required armed militants to disarm in exchange for financial payouts and training, there has been an increase in violence against oil infrastructure by rebel groups around the Niger Delta.
While the Nigerian government has stepped up efforts to “search and destroy” the groups, they have been ineffective due to the geography of the delta. The movement of troops has also spread concerns that Boko Haram might spread infuse ce in the Northeast as there are lesser troops providing a front against them. The attacks have caused many negative impacts on the Nigerian economy, as petroleum exports have declined sharply and oil companies are ending their contracts and leaving Nigeria. As Nigeria is heavily reliant on oil, citizens have expressed anger at the slowing economy.
After an overview provided by the chairs, chaos ensued during a moderated caucus as delegates heatedly discussed what aspect of the issue to focus on, and the solutions that should be proposed to the aforementioned aspects. In the General Speakers List, most countries stated that the short-term solutions to subdue the rebels should take priority. Notable exceptions included Germany and Russia, the former which focused on more long-term issues like the conversion of Nigeria’s economy towards more environmentally friendly solutions. They were willing to cooperate with China and Belgium on this front. Russia, however, pushed for a policy of non-intervention, arguing that this was a domestic dispute in all aspects except for environmental degradation before accusing the United States of glossing over the environmental aspect of the issue for their own oil gains.
During the press conference, when questioned about its stance on Nigeria moving towards more environmentally friendly measures, the United States replied that they believed that the human rights violations, such as kidnappings, against the people living near the Delta were more pressing and short-term solutions should take priority over long-term ones. The United States has previously wrecked damage on countries for access to oil resources, such as in Iraq.
Methods for achieving peace in the region differed. Some countries, such as France, believed that the Nigerian Government should be encouraged to bring back the Presidential Amnesty Program, citing its previous success in decreasing violence in the Niger Delta, and declaring that doing so would better respect Nigerian sovereignty. Other countries, including the United States and China, believed that military intervention by foreign parties would be required.
In the press conference, delegates were asked whether or not military action by foreign forces would be disrespecting Nigerian sovereignty. They responded by mentioning that given the previous willingness of Nigeria to accept foreign aid, it was within reason that the government would be willing to accept foreign military aid once again.
Many countries are inherently self-interested and condescending towards other governments. However, they usually try to conceal this. The United Kingdom’s slip-up today in the press conference and its pursuit of a revealed the true feelings of the UK government towards its longtime ally and former colony - that of condescension and imperialistic paternalism.
In the press conference today, the United Kingdom declared that Nigeria’s government was corrupted and was withholding the profits derived from the oil industry from its people. After vehement criticism from Equatorial Guinea and Indonesia after the press conference, the UK tried to salvage the situation by retracting its statement and apologising. However, it took a hardline stance against preserving the sovereignty of Nigeria, and declared that peacekeeping troops should be sent in without abandon. Could one more utterly betray an ally reliant on them for information sharing and military training?
Debate will continue later today and tomorrow on both the issue of the Niger River and the last two issues.
UNITED NATIONS, Aug 24 (Xinhua) — Having settled their first issue earlier today, the United Nations Security Council moved on to their second agenda, the issue of the Niger Delta. Following the discontinuation of the Presidential Amnesty Program, which required armed militants to disarm in exchange for financial payouts and training, there has been an increase in violence against oil infrastructure by rebel groups around the Niger Delta.
While the Nigerian government has stepped up efforts to “search and destroy” the groups, they have been ineffective due to the geography of the delta. The movement of troops has also spread concerns that Boko Haram might spread infuse ce in the Northeast as there are lesser troops providing a front against them. The attacks have caused many negative impacts on the Nigerian economy, as petroleum exports have declined sharply and oil companies are ending their contracts and leaving Nigeria. As Nigeria is heavily reliant on oil, citizens have expressed anger at the slowing economy.
After an overview provided by the chairs, chaos ensued during a moderated caucus as delegates heatedly discussed what aspect of the issue to focus on, and the solutions that should be proposed to the aforementioned aspects. In the General Speakers List, most countries stated that the short-term solutions to subdue the rebels should take priority. Notable exceptions included Germany and Russia, the former which focused on more long-term issues like the conversion of Nigeria’s economy towards more environmentally friendly solutions. They were willing to cooperate with China and Belgium on this front. Russia, however, pushed for a policy of non-intervention, arguing that this was a domestic dispute in all aspects except for environmental degradation before accusing the United States of glossing over the environmental aspect of the issue for their own oil gains.
During the press conference, when questioned about its stance on Nigeria moving towards more environmentally friendly measures, the United States replied that they believed that the human rights violations, such as kidnappings, against the people living near the Delta were more pressing and short-term solutions should take priority over long-term ones. The United States has previously wrecked damage on countries for access to oil resources, such as in Iraq.
Methods for achieving peace in the region differed. Some countries, such as France, believed that the Nigerian Government should be encouraged to bring back the Presidential Amnesty Program, citing its previous success in decreasing violence in the Niger Delta, and declaring that doing so would better respect Nigerian sovereignty. Other countries, including the United States and China, believed that military intervention by foreign parties would be required.
In the press conference, delegates were asked whether or not military action by foreign forces would be disrespecting Nigerian sovereignty. They responded by mentioning that given the previous willingness of Nigeria to accept foreign aid, it was within reason that the government would be willing to accept foreign military aid once again.
Many countries are inherently self-interested and condescending towards other governments. However, they usually try to conceal this. The United Kingdom’s slip-up today in the press conference and its pursuit of a revealed the true feelings of the UK government towards its longtime ally and former colony - that of condescension and imperialistic paternalism.
In the press conference today, the United Kingdom declared that Nigeria’s government was corrupted and was withholding the profits derived from the oil industry from its people. After vehement criticism from Equatorial Guinea and Indonesia after the press conference, the UK tried to salvage the situation by retracting its statement and apologising. However, it took a hardline stance against preserving the sovereignty of Nigeria, and declared that peacekeeping troops should be sent in without abandon. Could one more utterly betray an ally reliant on them for information sharing and military training?
Debate will continue later today and tomorrow on both the issue of the Niger River and the last two issues.
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