The UNSC faces foreign interference in the Algerian War

The UNSC’s room at 10:45 am was filled with the buzz of lively debate. Delegates from a diverse range of countries traded final thoughts about resolutions close to being submitted. The appearance of an inflatable dinosaur disrupted this debate, and delegates listened with fascination while the dinosaur played popular songs such as Katy Perry’s Firework and Billy Joel’s Piano Man. As the dinosaur exited the room, debate resumed.

Sudden allegations of France & the United States colluding to send troops into Algeria to secure French control of the region surfaced, as a note sent between the two materialized. When asked about these allegations, the delegate of Mexico said “The United States asked France to sign off on sending ground troops into Algeria, which France did” pointing at the note circulating the room showing just that. The delegates became embroiled in a heated debate about this alleged collaboration. Amid this, the chairs called for an end to the Unmod, and all delegates returned to their seats. Mexico proposed the introduction of all working papers on the floor, and delegates voted to support this motion.

The first resolution to be introduced was a paper by Austria & New Zealand. The resolution, titled “Ending African Involvement” targeted Nigeria & Niger’s involvement in the Algerian War. The resolution urged Nigeria & Niger to end their involvement in the war, threatening sanctions if they didn’t do so. As the Q&A period began, Peru asked valuable questions about this resolution, including questioning why this paper didn’t target larger countries as well. In response to this, the sponsors of this paper expressed worries about a possible veto by one of the P5 countries if they were targeted in this paper. When it came time to vote, it was a nearly even split. However, the UK, who had passed originally, decided to veto this resolution.

The second resolution introduced was also sponsored by Austria and New Zealand, entitled “Ending American Involvement”. This resolution contained essentially the same content, however, in Q&A, the delegate from Austria expressed that they wished to have a resolution dealing with America be a separate resolution, so the entire paper wouldn’t be vetoed. During voting procedure, the delegate from America vetoed the resolution, with the UK and China following suit. 

As the UNSC moves onto different topics, there is sure to be more heated debate & possible controversies. However, most delegates within the room seemed to remain hopeful that everyone will be able to meet in the middle & pass resolutions that will help solve problems that they are dealing with.

Reported on by IPC delegate Davis Mortenson