DISEC Day 2: ‘What’s Happening?’ — Head Chair

By Cyrene Woo ||

The Disarmament and International Security Committee is entertaining the resolutions submitted by Afghanistan and addressing state sponsored terrorism in nigeria.

The resolution aims to neutralize Boko Haram’s threat, a terrorist militant group in Nigeria, by allowing African countries to hire private military companies. It proposes foreign direct investments from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and more economically developed countries (MEDCs) to reliably fund Nigeria.

To show support for the resolution, the delegate of Russia states that the restriction of social media as mentioned in the resolution is necessary, as it is the main way Boko Haram recruits members and makes the Nigerian youth vulnerable to the extreme beliefs of the terrorist group. However, Niger and Nigeria opposed by pointing out that monitoring ‘hate speech’, which is subjective, is ineffective. Furthermore, Nigeria mentions that restricting social media use will only drive civilians to using sites like ‘4chan’, leading to government officials having to search through ‘anime weebs’ to look for ‘hate speech’. However, the clause ultimately is kept in, with a delegate even openly admitting that he has used 4chan before.

The resolution also proposes sending private military companies (PMCs) to neutralize the threat of Boko Haram. However, delegates have stated that the resolution will increase China’s influence in Nigeria, with the Chinese 東方神劍 as a prime example of a PMC under another country’s control, making it not an actual PMC and a violation of sovereignty when deployed in another country’s territory. The delegate of China proceeds to state out loud “咱們全都是中國人!”, sending the entire council into chaos.

The second resolution submitted by Iran proposed ideas such as allowing ex-members of Boko Haram to be reintegrated back into society through the judicial system. However, delegations of Chad and the USA have voiced their opposing stances, as they believe that UN Peacekeepers and the International Criminal Court (ICC) are incapable of helping the situation in Nigeria. After a round of amendments, including a joint speech made by 5 delegates together, which was declared the most beautiful speech of the entire duration of the conference, the resolution finally passed with a majority voting in favor of it.

Here are some quotes from this session of DISEC debating:

• “You want? You want a fact check?”

• “This amendment does not pass, therefore clapping is not in order.” — Chair; *entire council: claps

• “Motion to strike clause 7… or 8?”

• “What’s happening?” — Chair

• “Motion to extend POIs by 1? By 2? By 3? By 4? Nooooo.” — Chair

• “Some children are sent to the mines to work, that is how it is.” — Chair

• “They’re striking a whole clause, that’s pretty cool.” — Chair

• “This clause is like a blunt pencil — it’s completely pointless.”

• “Why are the rats… eating the house?” — Chair

• “They’re like One Direction”; “Go back in the direction of your chair!!” — Chair

With one more resolution to entertain, the Disarmament and International Security Committee will wrap up their discussion on addressing state sponsored terrorism in Nigeria.