A Plea to Pivot Politics to Protection of the People

By Dheeyan Master (Del of the Washington Post)

In current times, several international discussions end up looking like this: endless debates going in circles, arguments over history, blaming and accusations for this question - who is to blame for today’s systemic issues that beset people world over? Indeed, it is not a matter of surprise - but it leaves us wondering nonetheless, when a humanitarian disaster enfolds - where shall the line be drawn between political dispute and concrete action? Such is the dilemma that the UNHRC convenes to solve, specifically in the Sahel region of Africa.

The start of the committee was full of conversation demanding solutions. Delegates were to attempt to solve or put ease to the Sahel crisis of deep poverty, challenges for climate change and escalating violence. 

The delegate of the United States and its western allies voiced that humanitarian aid needs to be given with ‘strings attached’ and spoke of concerns that in the event of a lack of strict oversight and proper governance, aid can be used for different purposes and fall into corrupt hands.

Meanwhile, the delegates of African nations counterargued emphatically with particular emphasis given towards decades of western exploitation, interference and the lingering effects of postcolonialism - all these being the causes and creators of the instability that the committee is addressing. A pertinent question was posed, why should those being exploited and those suffering now have to accept the western terms and conditions once again if these are the very causes of the plight?

Yes, both the perspectives carry with them merit - but yet another question still remains: should aid that can save many lives be held hostage to political disagreements? The delegate of Sudan cut through the political rhetoric with their sharp and urgent tone and circled the debate back to the darker on ground realities that require addressing.

Beyond military confrontations, the violent manner in which terrorist groups were expanding their reach and terrorising innocent civilians, instilling fear and asserting control over these civilians by several extreme means such as sexual violence against women and children is extremely disturbing and demands immediate action from the UNHRC.

The committee was reminded that with each passing second, more vulnerable people are afflicted with violence and plagued with the plight of it all. ach passing second Sudan posed a chilling challenge to everyone in the room: every moment spent trading barbs was another minute that vulnerable populations were left at the mercy of violence.

The role of committees such as the UNHRC is to uphold human dignity - but it seems to often evolve less into real protection for real people and more into back and forth political wrangling. And international leadership at large depends upon whether real meaning exists behind words of diplomacy.

The Washington Post believes that in similar light, international bodies are urged to move beyond the incessant blaming - and more towards the establishing humanitarian passages, systematic support for victims of gender-based violence and security cooperation. Safeguarding the lives of the millions affected by the crisis in the Sahel is what will make these political arguments reliable and worthwhile.