Committee: Security Council

Country: Republic of Guatemala

Topic: Rise of Islamist Insurgency in Nigeria
Delegate: Renzo Leonardo Valencia Cornejo

Worldwide efforts in Human Rights awareness currently face their greatest threat: the
surge of religious fundamentalism. One among its many tentacles, the terrorist group
Jama'atu Ahlus-Sunna Lidda'Awati Wal Jihad, better known as the Boko Haram, puts Nigeria
in crisis, risking the very country’s viability while at the same time yielding further abuse
against its most vulnerable groups; that is, religious minorities and women. The Chibok
kidnapping has just been a demonstration of the actions intended by this terrorist organization
should their twisted reading of sharia become law. However, the Republic of Guatemala
bears in mind that most of its affiliates share a background of poverty and illiteracy in
Northern Nigeria that provides a fanatic leadership with new men every time. Only striving
towards greater equality can Nigeria present an actually disarming argument, and only after
effective control of the area has been obtained by armed force.

In the aftermath of its own internal conflict, the Republic of Guatemala came to
endorse multicultural understanding as a vital component of any peace process; in such
manner as it guarantees the rights of vulnerable groups, which were by far the most harmed
in that conflict, and the ones suffering the worst now. This mutual understanding, at the same
time, must be directed at tackling the underlying motivations behind the spread of this
sectarian violence: extreme poverty, illiteracy, economic and social exclusion, which in turn
renders the population most vulnerable to Human Rights violations, as it has occurred in both
sides. As a troop provider for international security operations, the Republic of Guatemala
considers military presence a must in order to reestablish stability, yet favors a concerted,
wide approach to guarantee lasting peace. In order to achieve such goal, this Committee must
seek improved enforcement of, among others, Resolution 1325 (2000) –about women in
conflict resolution and peace process-, Resolution 2178 (2014) –on the participation of
terrorist foreign fighters-; plus the arms embargo established ex Resolution 2161 (2014), and
recently applied to this terrorist group.

Dealing with terrorist organizations is an especially complicated matter, inasmuch it

requires both swift, strong military actions and a long-term development focus. In the former
case, extensive cooperation is needed between involved bordering countries, so group
members can be brought to justice without disturbing friendly relations, including military
protection of schools (especially those targeted for girls), mosques and churches. And for the
latter, the following should be stressed: the establishment of a transitional justice system,
with enhanced access for women and minority groups and the oversight of previously
experienced countries, the use of regional partnership with the African Union –with due
consideration of Resolution 1631 (2005), on cooperation between the United Nations and
regional organizations- about topics of disarmament, relocation and settlement, while also
redesigning the distribution of oil revenues, one of the reasons behind injustice -as perceived
in Northern Nigeria- that further provokes insurgency. Moreover, the Republic of Guatemala
will take active participation in the resolution of this heated topic, inside the limits of
sovereignty and International Law, yet always with the goal of reaching international security
and unrestrained respect for Human Rights in sight.