By Nemsie Gonzalez 

The United Nations Historical Security Council of 1994 (HSC-94) sets the agenda to the crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina, leaving Rwanda and Somalia on their own. On 22 November, HSC-94 opened up committee with an introduction from the dais, sharing a letter from the Secretary-General on the political crisis in Bosnia, Rwanda and Somalia. Delegations were then allowed to ask for further points of inquiry before motioning to set the agenda. The committee opened with initial comments from Representatives Claire Czajkowski and Talulu Hayes of the United States, encouraging the committee to focus on the crisis in Somalia.

Representative Czajkowski explained the United States decision to initially push for the Security Council to aid Somalia, “We are currently in the process of taking out 13,000 troops. We are very involved in the situation in Somalia. We wanted to ensure a safe transition … that large of a loss of aid could be detrimental [to peace].” 

As formal debate continued, Representatives Sadie Frank and Lila Smith of Oman motioned to set the agenda to Rwanda, however with a vote of 4/9/2, this motion failed. The committee then moved to vote to set the agenda to the crisis in Bosnia. With a new vote of 13/2/0, the agenda was set. 

When asked about the committee’s decision, Representative Nathan H. Ware of Nigeria said, “Representatives have spoken about the positive developments in Somalia and Rwanda so the focus should be on urgent issues in Bosnia.” When Representative Mariah McKenzie of Nigeria was asked if she was surprised by the committee’s decision, she said, “No, as it did seem more pressing based on the initial updates we got.”

At the start of the committee Representatives were informed that Bosnian power and water infrastructure had been knocked out, renewed artillery attacks on the capital by Bosnian Serbs had ensued and the Bosnian airport had been destroyed. Which forced the United Nations Protection Force to suspend relief flights for 12 hours. Meanwhile in Somalia, fighting between factions appeared low as a result of upcoming peace accords with negotiations taking place between local clans. In Rwanda, the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR) has been renewed until 5 April, accompanied by an increase in force with the pre-existing 1200 forces welcoming the deployment of 1200 new peacekeepers after 31 December.

“The situation in Rwanda is moving towards peace. [Yugoslavia] is more urgent. We do concede there is more work to be done,” said Representative Klay Redman of Rwanda, citing the positive changes expected to arise from the inauguration of the new president. 

As Representatives came out of their unmoderated caucus, Representatives Elie Jabbour and Brenna Uppeleger of Brazil shared that an operational decision was approved to send immediate aid in regards to food and water to Bosnia, however no logistical details were available at this time. The committee expressed frustration with the lack of specificity in Brazil’s report, sparking debate. The debate closed with critical comments from Nigeria who said, “We are interested in actual work not debates on the little things.”

Representative Wesley Yeager of Djibouti echoed these sentiments, they said “[We are] discontented with the progress of the committee thus far. Djibouti calls for peace building not peace mitigation.” Djibouti went on to express concerns around the Security Council’s Eurocentric and Asiacentric view disregarding African issues. 

Following the press conference, the delegations of Oman and Djibouti entered a heated discussion, Oman shared in a note to the AMUN Chronicle, “Our initial disagreement was pertaining to our differing priorities within the council topics.” The majority of representatives affirmed their decision to set the agenda to the situation in Bosnia. “That’s not to discount what’s going on in African countries…but there are lives at stake, ” said Representative Alison George of Spain. 

Both Djibouti and Oman said they are “fundamentally aligned on issues regarding humanitarian aid…though they may disagree on specifics.” 

The Security Council is currently in the process of drafting resolutions to submit to the floor in hopes of increasing the presence of peacekeepers in Bosnia as well as humanitarian aid. The committee is also in the process of deliberating potential increases in weaponry to further support safe zones.