Special Political and Decolonization Committee (SPECPOL)

About the Committee:

The Special Political and Decolonization Committee (SpecPol) is the fourth subcommittee of the United Nations General Assembly. It is dedicated to exploring the diverse ramifications of political issues, especially those related to decolonization or historically derived impacts of colonialism. It also handles peacekeeping efforts. The committee will be large this year, welcoming 70+ delegates. Delegates both new and experienced will find this committee challenging and engaging.

In this committee, we will delve into two issues deeply connected with colonialism: The Situation in Sudan and The Political and Economic Statuses of Non-Self-Governing Territories. At the end of British dominion in Sudan, the country faced two brutal civil wars (1955-1972, 1983–2005), eventually culminating in South Sudan’s independence. During the last few years of the second civil war, the Sudanese government, led by Omar Al-Bashir, carried out a genocidal campaign in the Darfur region against non-arab ethnic groups. The country has suffered two military and paramilitary coups in the last 5 years. In April 2023, tensions erupted into war between the country’s two prominent military factions. The war has resulted in widespread famine, sexual violence, and possible ethnic cleansing. It has displaced 4 million people, creating a refugee crisis in the already unstable Horn of Africa/North Africa region.

Non-Self-Governing Territories (NSGTs) are defined in the UN Charter as "territories whose people have not yet attained a full measure of self-government.” They are under the authority of an “administering power,” who agrees via the UN Charter to respect the political ambitions and promote the well-being of people in the NSGTs they administer. According to the UN, there are currently seventeen NSGTs. They include Western Sahara, Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Island, Falkland Islands, Montserrat, Saint Helena, Turks and Caicos Islands, United States Virgin Islands, Gibraltar, American Samoa, French Polynesia, Guam, New Caledonia, Pitcairn, and Tokelau. Delegates should consider how SpecPol can ensure self-determination and freedom from economic exploitation for these territories.

A LETTER FROM THE DaiS:

Dear Delegates,

My name is Edith and I will be your Director for the Special Political Committee at MUNUM XXXVIII! Last year, I was a Rapporteur of the MUNUM XXXVII Gulf Collaboration Committee. Outside of MUNUM, I am a sophomore studying political science and communication and media studies. On campus, I am involved with three sections of the Michigan Daily and serve as public relations manager for my acapella vocal group, Heartbeat. I’ve been a Model UN aficionado since my freshman year of high school. Coincidentally, “The Situation in Sudan” was my first-ever Model UN Topic in 2019. I chose these topics because I believe they are both misunderstood and overshadowed in the international community. Hopefully, with ample research and dedication, SpecPol can develop creative and relevant solutions for these complex issues. I am excited to meet everyone in January!

Best,

The Staff of the Special Political Committee

Edith Pendell: ependell@umich.edu