The Golden Machete
The obvious front runner for the award is the DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo). As recently as two weeks ago a mass rape took place under the nose of the UN force in the area. The reason was that people in the area "failed" to mention it to the nearby UN units, and by "failed" I mean "didn't bother". Hundreds of women and CHILDREN were reportedly raped in the area which caused outrage from the UN and Ban Ki Moon. This event follows the problems the UN force had earlier this year when they were forced to stop working with DRC army units because the units were committing atrocities while integrated with UN units. Again, while they were integrated with UN units, parts of the DRC army were still committing human rights violations. In-fucking-credible. The UNAMC is basically falling apart. There have been no significant gains in the region and the UN mission has failed to provide any human security in the area.
I think it is time to reevaluate the Congolese government and determine whether it needs to go or not. This is the kind of nonsense which makes me believe in regime change. What do you do with a state that has no control over the area and its army tends to be a big part of the problem? R2P should be enacted and a focused international intervention should be enacted. The DRC government has failed in its responsibility to protect the people of the state and should be removed and held accountable. The people of the DRC should be protected from the atrocities that are being committed on all sides.
What should be done?
1: The UN force should be increased in size.
2: Special UN units should be deployed to disarm the Army and Rebels.
3: Safe Zones implemented to protect refugees and civilians. These should be vigorously defended against attack.
4: UN forces given greater authority to destroy enemy units that engage in atrocities.
5: ICC actively investigates/prosecutes individuals accused of human rights violations. UN forces included.
6: UN takes over administration of the country until a suitable agreed upon government can be established. All groups should be represented.
7: Social programs should be organized and funded to support a state that may have 50% unemployment or higher.
8: Specially trained UN police keep the peace by familiarizing themselves with local customs. As long as these customs do not violate human rights in an unacceptable way.
Problems?
1: The UN has no money for this.
2: No one can cooperate long enough to succeed.
3: Only a minority cares about Africa.
4: This will take a LONG LONG LONG time.
5: What is meant be "acceptable" form of government?
6: Is there an acceptable level of human rights violation?
The list is longer than this and the solution is basically a hammer/velvet glove deal but it is time we did something or get the fuck out.
I think it is time to reevaluate the Congolese government and determine whether it needs to go or not. This is the kind of nonsense which makes me believe in regime change. What do you do with a state that has no control over the area and its army tends to be a big part of the problem? R2P should be enacted and a focused international intervention should be enacted. The DRC government has failed in its responsibility to protect the people of the state and should be removed and held accountable. The people of the DRC should be protected from the atrocities that are being committed on all sides.
What should be done?
1: The UN force should be increased in size.
2: Special UN units should be deployed to disarm the Army and Rebels.
3: Safe Zones implemented to protect refugees and civilians. These should be vigorously defended against attack.
4: UN forces given greater authority to destroy enemy units that engage in atrocities.
5: ICC actively investigates/prosecutes individuals accused of human rights violations. UN forces included.
6: UN takes over administration of the country until a suitable agreed upon government can be established. All groups should be represented.
7: Social programs should be organized and funded to support a state that may have 50% unemployment or higher.
8: Specially trained UN police keep the peace by familiarizing themselves with local customs. As long as these customs do not violate human rights in an unacceptable way.
Problems?
1: The UN has no money for this.
2: No one can cooperate long enough to succeed.
3: Only a minority cares about Africa.
4: This will take a LONG LONG LONG time.
5: What is meant be "acceptable" form of government?
6: Is there an acceptable level of human rights violation?
The list is longer than this and the solution is basically a hammer/velvet glove deal but it is time we did something or get the fuck out.