Delegation from the Republic of Mozambique

Position Paper for the Security Council

The topics before the United Nations (UN) Security Council are: Protection of Civilians in Armed
Conflicts; The Situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and The Use of Robust Mandates in
Peacekeeping. The Republic of Mozambique is committed to a preventive and cooperative approach
to preserve international peace and security. Therefore, the Republic of Mozambique actively
advocates the principle of shared responsibility and supports all multilateral solutions and resolutions
to the above-mentioned topics.

Ⅰ. Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflicts

The history of the Republic of Mozambique has been shaped by many armed conflicts and political
instability. This has disrupted the economic growth and development of the country. Causes of the
conflicts are oriented towards political and economic factors as well as toward political distribution of
opportunities and of participation of the people in Mozambique in economic development. Women,
older people, people with disabilities and children face increased risk of harm during conflicts. The
“forgotten war” in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique between the armed group called Al-Shabaab and the
Southern African Development Community Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) emphasizes the lack of
stability and peace. The conflict has gone on since 2017, killing 4.500 people and forcing nearly a
million to flee their homes. Even children are recruited and armed by Al-Shabaab.

In view of the urgency of the conflict, SAMIM includes troops from the South African National Defence
Force (SANDF) since 2021, which takes part in UN peacekeeping missions. Due to the increased risk
of children during conflicts the Mozambican Ministry of Defence signed an agreement by UNICEF to
increase protection measures for children affected by conflicts in the Republic of Mozambique. The
collaboration between the Government, UNICEF and partners is greatly needed by rescued children
to support their physical and mental health, as well as their psychosocial wellbeing. Moreover the
Republic of Mozambique highly emphasizes the importance of Resolution 2286, which addresses
attacks on health services in armed conflict. For the first time member states and the UN
Secretary-General are urged to take proactive steps toward preventing attacks and holding
perpetrators accountable.

The Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflicts has been a long-term priority for the Security Council
and is still needed to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms. Especially vulnerable groups
including children, women, disabled people, older people, journalists, medical staff and humanitarian
personnel face conflicts the most. In order to guarantee protection of civilians the staff of refugee
camps and peacekeeping missions has to be defended. This would require better training of
personnel for emergency situations, as well as more rapid requests for adequate additional defense at
national and international level. In addition to medical personnel, more teaching staff should be
deployed in emergency situations. Civilians in armed conflicts could be made aware of their rights and
the education of children could be continued. The Republic of Mozambique is looking forward to
working together with the other member states to improve the safety of the peacekeeping personnel
to ensure successful peacekeeping missions.

ⅠⅠ. The Situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has a wealth of natural resources, is a neighboring
country and a close ally of the Republic of Mozambique. DRC is included in peacekeeping missions of
the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in order to help the Southern African
Development Community Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) to fight against armed groups in the
Republic of Mozambique. It is important to mention that DRC and the Republic of Mozambique face
similar problems, such as an unstable political system and a poor economic situation. Therefore it is
important to improve the situation in DRC, to retain DRC as a close ally for peacekeeping missions.

The Republic of Mozambique emphasizes the importance of MONUSCO. MONUSCO is one of the
biggest peacekeeping missions of the UN in order to stabilize the situation in DRC. Furthermore the
International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) supports the establishment of a National
Association of Social Workers in DRC. This association is in an early development phase and should
therefore be supported nationally and internationally in order to be able to develop sustainably. The
National Association of Social Workers in DRC is urgently needed to better coordinate and train social
workers. Some research and practice projects have already taken place, such as "Likilimba" (women's
savings groups) and victims of sexual abuse.

Recognizing the significant physical and psychosocial needs of individuals, families and communities
due to recurrent civil wars, armed conflicts and chronic poverty in DRC, it is highly important to
strengthen resources and regulations in peacekeeping missions and associations like the National
Association of Social Workers in DRC. Moreover there should be a recognition of social work as a
profession, in order to improve the individual situation of social workers. In addition to the profession,
it is important to implement targeted training by non-governmental agencies for social workers in
emergency situations. The Republic of Mozambique is looking forward to international communication
and cooperation to ensure protection of civilians in armed conflicts.

ⅠⅠⅠ. The Use of Robust Mandates in Peacekeeping

The Republic of Mozambique is grateful to the UN for its peacekeeping missions. It is important to
mention that many people, living beings and habitats have been rescued as a result of these
missions. UN Peacekeeping missions like the United Nations Operations in Mozambique (ONUMOZ)
also took place, but unfortunately they were not sustainable. The Republic of Mozambique fell into old
patterns and is not able to liberate itself independently. The Republic of Mozambique therefore
emphasizes the importance of the use of robust mandates in peacekeeping, due to the
multidimensional nature of peacekeeping missions to achieve a sustainable result and operate
effectively.

Recognising the challenges of peacekeeping, the concept of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) is
very important for the observance and performance of these missions. The R2P is a global political
commitment by the UN and endorses all member states to address its four key concerns to prevent
genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity. Moreover the Republic of
Mozambique emphasizes the importance of Chapter VIII of the Charter, that provides for the
involvement of regional arrangements and agencies in the maintenance of international peace and
security provided such activities are consistent with the purposes and principles outlined in Chapter I
of the Charter.

Therefore it is important to strengthen the importance of robust mandates in peacekeeping missions.

The circumstances in which a robust mandate can be used should be reconsidered, because of
multidimensional situations in peacekeeping missions. Peacekeeping missions have to be appropriate
and long-term oriented. In order to avoid exploiting a robust mandate, monitoring and record keeping
should be strengthened accordingly. The Republic of Mozambique is looking forward to working
together with the international community to strengthen the use of robust mandates in peacekeeping.