African Union Simulation Assignment

Transcription

1 African Union Simulation Assignment Introduction to African Politics Eelco van der Maat Kristin Michelitch September 17, 2014 Position Paper (3pgs max) Due: March 28 before midnight on OAK Position Abstract Due: March 28 before midnight on blog Simulation Date: April 1st Crisis in Katanga Following years of civil conflict, leaders in the Katanga region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have declared a union with their Swahili-speaking kin in Tanzania. 1 The Katanga irredentists feel that their region has not been represented by the government in Kinshasa, all the way on the eastern side of the DRC. The government has not provided basic security or public infrastructure in Katanga. They argue that the DRC is a failed empirical state. The irredentists have sought to become a semi-autonomous unit of Tanzania, similar to Zanzibar (and perhaps Tangyanika in the upcoming constitutional referendum). Tanzania is partial to the union of Tanzania and Katanga. Co-ethnics in Tanzania have pressured the Tanzanian government to accept their kin as part of their country. The Tanzanian military feels that the resources in the Katanga region are important to Tanzanian economic security. The Tanzanian military has already sent troops to pacify Katanga and guard the border to the DRC. The DRC government is unwilling to let Katanga go. The DRC government claims that the borders of the DRC are sovereign. It further argues that drawing new borders for the DRC and Tanzania will lead to yet other groups across Africa in pursuing separatism and irredentism, citing the recent examples of South Sudan and Mali. 1 When an ethnic group seeks to leave one state for another to unify with coethnics, it is called irredentism - see Horowitz (1985) chapter 6 on irredentism and secession posted on OAK for background info. 1

2 Upcoming Summit Vote on components of the resolution The DRC has requested African Union (AU) troops to bolster its military conquest to take back Katanga. Tanzania has asked the AU for peacekeeping troops to secure peace and stability in Katanga as a semi-autonomous unit in a Tanzanian Federation. This is a unique chance for the AU to show its capacity for intra-african conflict resolution. The upcoming summit of the AU will determine: 1. Whether to support the secession of Katanga from the DRC to Tanzania; 2. Whether the AU should be involved militarily by sending troops; and 3. If troops are provided, how to decide on the relative contribution of forces from AU member states (e.g. based on population, GDP, or equal, whether some countries might be exempt from contribution). These three questions must be resolved at the meeting, but additional items may be proposed during the plenary. Learning goals: Through simulation students will gain a deeper understanding into process of international negotiation and the difficulty of reaching agreement on areas of international cooperation. Moreover, students will acquire expert knowledge of the politics and position of an African country with respect to the topic of international relations. Students will additionally gain experience in key skills of group inter-action, presentation, library research and the writing of a short paper. 2

3 Position Abstract This abstract of 250 words max summarizes the position paper. The goal of the abstract is to inform fellow/rival delegates of your position. Therefore, the abstract should concisely present the position of your country as well as any draft resolutions 2 you would like to communicate. Please post the abstract on your blog by the due date. Before the simulation you are expected to have read each other s abstracts to discover with whom you might ally. Note that the abstract is public knowledge, while the position paper is secret. Therefore any negotiation strategy in the position paper should preferably be kept out of the abstract. Position Paper 3 The AU summit requires that each delegate submit a position paper, detailing his or her country s policies on the topics being discussed. Writing a position paper will help organize ideas so that delegates can share their country s position with the other delegates during the simulation. Position papers are no longer than three double spaced pages in length. Your position paper should include a brief introductory statement followed by a comprehensive breakdown of your country s position on the topic. A good position paper will not only provide facts but also make proposals for resolutions to work with in class. A good position paper will help you make a great (should I say memorable?) introductory speech. During debate, a good position paper will also help you to stick to your country s policies. In order to determine your country s position on the irredentism of Katanga, you, as diplomat, will need to determine your country s position towards irredentism historically and generally, and whether the head of government of your country might have his/her own position on irredentism based on his/her ethnic group and region of origin. Following decolonization, most countries kept their borders. Still, some borders were ill defined and some African countries pressed for the inclusion of ethnic kin into their country. should come up with at least three evidence-based arguments to support your position on each of the three initial questions for the simulation (for a total of 9 evidence-based arguments). The following are some questions to help you determine your country s position. You must not answer all of the questions, they are merely suggestions to help you craft evidence- 2 A draft resolution is a written document that are further modified during the simulation on which to vote at the end of the simulation - see simulation schedule below. We will post an example of a resolution from Model UN on OAK. 3 Adopted and adapted from Model UN You 3

4 based arguments: Have there been separatist or irredentist movements in your country? what was the response? Is the current head of government from the break-away group, have nationalist ideology, etc? Are there ethnic, religious or linguistic groups straddling the border of your country and neighboring countries that are resource rich and may yearn to separate? What was your country s position on the separation of South Sudan from Sudan? What was your country s position towards the separatist rebellion by the Tuareg ( Azawad ) in Mali in 2012? What actions did your government take with regard to similar issues? Are there any relevant conventions and resolutions that your country has signed or ratified? What is your country s position towards the AU as an effective institution? Would your country like to see an increased or reduced role of the AU? Has your country donated troops for African crises historically? What kinds of crises? Does your country have the (economic) resources to donate troops or otherwise support the mission? Is the head of government of your country friendlier with Tanzania or the DRC? Are the leaders ideologies or regime type in your country closer to Tanzania or DRC? Does your country trade more with Tanzania or DRC? Will your country be adversely affected by spillover violence due to its geographic proximity to Katanga? Are there internal crises in your country that would preclude sending troops elsewhere? As evidence you are to rely on a broad range of sources both academic and nonacademic. Please use the resources for country research spearheaded by Larry Romans in the library session. Also, consider using the following: 4

5 Government documents and info through government websites Statistics (e.g. World Bank) Academic journals (e.g. through scholar.google.com) Books from academic presses (e.g. through library or books.google.com) News sources that you would use for your blog Other news sources in databases (e.g. lexis nexus available through the library) Library research sites via OAK under external links (i.e. Larry Roman s site, Stanford International Relations of Africa site, and Berkely Africa site) Further Position Paper Tips: Keep it simple. To communicate strongly and effectively, avoid flowery wording and stick to uncomplicated language and sentence structure. Feel free to use bulleted lists. Get organized. Give each separate idea or proposal its own paragraph. Make sure each paragraph starts with a topic sentence. Cite your sources. Use footnotes or endnotes to show where you found your facts and statistics. Your source lists does not count towards the 3 pages for the position paper. Read and reread. Leave time to edit your position paper. Ask yourself if the organization of the paper makes sense and double-check your spelling and grammar. Let the bullets fly. Try not to let your proposals become lost in a sea of information, as you will need to access your proposals, facts and statistics during the simulation. Simulation: Please prepare in advance your 2 min introductory position statement (based on your position paper). Consider in advance with whom you think you would ally. During the simulation, the use of laptops is allowed, but not mandatory. 5

6 Grading rubric Full credit Partial credit Position paper (5 pts): Goes above and beyond to research information and solicites material in addition to the library sources provided; and brings in personal ideas and information to enhance project. Provides at least 3 arguments for each question (9 in total). Adopts high quality evidence: books from academic presses; articles in academic journals; government documents; and statistics. Provides a concise, but detailed introduction to your country and its history concerning the issue. Provides information on how the issue potentially affects your country. States your country s policies with respect to the issue; what your country believes should be done to address the issue; and what your country would like to accomplish in the resolution. Resolution or resolutions that deal with all three agenda items. Information is completely accurate; all names and facts are precise and explicit. Paper is clear, well written and within the page limit. 6 Does an adequate job of researching; utilizes library resources provided to their full potential; provides at least 2 arguments for each question. Provides at least 2 arguments for each question (6 in total). Provides evidence for claims based on newspaper and internet sources only. Provides brief introduction to your country and its history concerning the issue. Provides information on how the issue potentially affects your country. States your country s policies with respect to the issue; what your country believes should be done to address the issue; and what your country would like to accomplish in the resolution in a manner that is mostly clear. Resolution or resolutions that deal with all one or two of the agenda items. No significant errors are made. Paper is clear and within half a page of the limit.

7 Full credit Abstract (1 pt) Partial credit - Simulation (4 pts): Present at simulation Well prepared & delivered intro speech Speaking/participating in simulation Present at simulation Ill prepared & delivered intro speech Does not participate in simulation 7

8 Draft Model AU Simulation Schedule Roll Call (3 mins.): The Chairperson will announce each country s name. After delegates hear their country, they should answer present. Position statement (30 mins.): Each delegate delivers a 2 min. position statement. Position statements focus on stating country positions and offering recommendations for action. Block meeting (10 mins.): The plenary breaks for caucuses (in 2 or 3 blocs) to develop positions. Consider your knowledge of similar positions from reading abstracts and hearing position statements. Draft resolutions (5 mins.): Writing begins as countries work together to compose draft resolutions. These resolutions should be based on work that has been done before class. It is helpful to bring potential resolution drafts that can be modified even if these did not make the position paper. Block position statement (5 mins.): After blocs have met, speeches focus on describing bloc positions to the entire body. Plenary (15-20 mins.) The plenary provides the opportunity to finalize negotiations. At the end of the plenary each proposed item of the resolution will be voted on individually by simple majority. Then the resolution will be voted on. The resolution will require an 8 out of 13 member majority to pass. Raise hand to speak during plenary. Short Press statements (up to 10 mins). Each delegate is allowed a (less than 1 min.) press statement (use sound bites) commenting on the outcome of the debate. Class discussion (15 mins.) 3rd) lecture following the simulation. We will debrief and discuss the simulation in the (April 8