THE ARAB SPRING:

Is the UN achieving its goals?

WHAT IS THE ARAB SPRING?

The Arab Spring is a term given to the revolutionary wave of riots, protests and civil wars, that is taking place in the Arab world which began in December, 2010.

Throughout 2010 to 2011, The Arab Spring swept across many nations in the Northern section of Africa (Libya, Egypt, Tunisia, etc.), and then started to spread across the whole of the Persian Gulf (Bahrain, Iraq, Yemen, etc.).

TUNISIA – THE START OF THE UPRISING...

The Arab Spring began after a Tunisian fruitseller from Sid Bouzid called Tarek al-Tayeb Mohamed Bouazizi ignited himself in desperation because his goods were taken from him by the Police and nobody cared.

This caused anger and frustration in the citizens of Sid Bouzid which resulted in protests, that escalated into riots and street wars.

The internet and social media (Facebook and Youtube) allowed protestors to record what was happening and upload to the internet for other Tunisians and the World to see. News rapidly spread of the events in Sid Bouzid and riots began to break out in Tunis, the capital of Tunisia.

The protestors managed to overthrow the current president, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and declared Tunisia a free nation.

News spread throughout the Arab World of how Tunisia managed to overthrow their corrupt leader….

Protestors during the Tunisian Revolution.

REVOLUTION EXTENDS INTO EGYPT

After the events in Tunisia, other Arab Nations believed that if Tunisia could overthrow their government, they could too. The Egyptian people, unhappy with their corrupt government, were inspired by the events in Tunisia.

Protests in Egypt began on 25th January 2011 and ran for 18 days. On 28th January at midnight, the Egyptian government attempted, somewhat successfully, to eliminate the nation's Internet access, in order to disable the protesters' ability to use social media to organize demonstrations. Later that day, as tens of thousands of people protested on the streets of Egypt's major cities, President Hosni Mubarak dismissed his government, later appointing a new cabinet. Mubarak also appointed the first Vice President in almost 30 years.

After 18 days of non violent and violent protests, The Vice President delcared that Mubarak had withdrawn and fled to Saudi Arabia.After both the Egyptians and the Tunisians had succeeded, other nations wanted to follow in suit...

Protestors from the Egyptian Revoulotion.

REGIMES IN OTHER ARAB COUTRIES FIGHT BACK...

Now the Arab Spring was at a high. Most of North Africa were following suit, most significantly notable was Libya.

Colonel Muammar al Gadafi, the country‘s tyrannical leader, knew what would happen if he allowed the social media to be accessed in his country, so he blocked all websites such as Facebook and Youtube.

As the situation seemed to be under control, Gadafi decided to unblock social media sites, a decision he would come to badly regret.

Now the internet was unblocked, young bloggers who had access to social media sites were able to plan protests against Gadafi. As th eprotests continued and gained in strength, local militias joined forces with the protestors and defeated Gadafi‘s supporters. After this, Gadafi fled to an unknown location and Libya broke out into Civil War with the Rebels fighting the government and eventually winning.

The Lybian flag whilst Gadafi had control of Lybia (1977-2011).

The current Lybian flag after the rebels took control (2011-present)

THE ARAB SPRING UNFOLDSTIMELINE AND MAP

http://warsclerotic.wordpress.com/2011/10/21/gaddafi-dead-obama-warns-syrian-president-bashar-al-assad/

THE UNITED NATIONS - BACKGROUND

Name: The United Nations (UN)Established: 24th October, 1945Headquaters: New YorkCurrent General: Ban ki-moon

The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization created to ensure international co-operation.

The UN was set up following the disastrous events of WWII to stop such a conflict of that scale occuring again. It was founded with 51 nations and has now expanded to 193 nations.

The UN is split into 3 main sections, each one with different achievements and goals.

The current Secretary General, Ban ki-moon of South Korea

THE UN‘S GOALS IN RELATION TO THE ARAB SPRING

1. Peacekeeping and Security

To send peacekeepers to countries where fighting has recently stopped or paused to ensure the terms of peace agreements are carried out and attempt to prevent further unrest.

2. Human Rights

To protect the freedom and rights of all individuals with no distinction of race, gender, language or religous beliefs.

3. Economic Development and Humanitarian Assistance

To gain international help in order to deal with economic, social, cultural and problems on a human level.

UN REACTION - TUNISIA

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stated that,

“The political situation is developing fast and every effort must be made by all concerned parties to establish dialogue and resolve problems peacefully to prevent further loss, violence and escalations."

• United Nations Silence on Revolution in Egypt Is Deafening• By BENNY AVNI, Special to the Sun | February 11, 2011

• http://www.nysun.com/foreign/united-nations-silence-on-revolution-in-egypt-is/87238/

• UNITED NATIONS – While the Middle East undergoes a remarkable transformation, one New York spot that remains almost defiantly uninterested – and totally irrelevant – is Turtle Bay. Like the Baskerville Hound, the United Nations won’t bark.

• Our ambassador here, Susan Rice, is finalizing a “major address” she’s expected to deliver tonight at Portland, where the World Affairs Council of Oregon is meeting. The title of her address — “Facing 21st Century Threats: Why America Needs the United Nations.”

• Good question.

• At the height of the Egypt crisis, the General Assembly convened to launch an “international year of forests,” complete with earth shaking rhetoric about the need for tree preservation. In Geneva, the U.N. human rights chief, Navi Pillay, spoke against the use of the death penalty around the world. Members of the Security Council, who are charged with averting threats to international peace and security, leisurely went through the motions of out their February schedule.

UN REACTION - EQYPT

UN REACTION - LIBYAThe Times World stated „As Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s forces closed in on the rebel capital of Benghazi, Thursday, the Obama Administration not only came around to the idea of imposing a no-fly zone over Libya, but sought — and won — U.N. Security Council authorization for ground attacks on regime forces threatening to storm the rebel “capital” of Benghazi. Western and at least two Arab air forces (believed to be Qatar and UAE) stood ready to launch attacks “within hours” of the vote, according to the Guardian quoting Western officials, in order to stop a regime advance on Benghazi.”

The Times World also stated “But while it saves the rebellion from military defeat, the U.N. intervention also precludes the rebels seeking a military victory. The international military intervention is attached to a demand for “the immediate establishment of a cease-fire and a complete end to violence” and “the need to intensify efforts to find a solution to the crisis which responds to the legitimate demands of the Libyan people and notes the decisions of the Secretary-General to send his Special Envoy to Libya and of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union to send its ad hoc High Level Committee to Libya with the aim of facilitating dialogue to lead to the political reforms necessary to find a peaceful and sustainable solution.”

Read more: U.N. Intervention Vote Saves Libya’s Revolution From Defeat | TIME.com http://world.time.com/2011/03/17/u-n-intervention-vote-saves-libyas-revolution-from-defeat/#ixzz2ushojQUy

THE ROLE OF THE UNITED NATIONSHAVE THE UN ACHIEVED THEIR GOALS?

I cannot fully decide if the UN have achieved their goals because in certain countries, there are still revolutions occuring. But, I can decide if they are going in the right direction.

The problem for the UN was that the events occured so fast, that they were not able to intervene quickly enough. The UN did become involved after the Libyan protests had broken out and once Civil War was declared. They called for a “cease fire“ and for no millitary hardware to be used against Gadafi and in return, for Gadafi to cease fire on the Rebel Forces.

Despite this, fighting still occured until the Rebel forces took control of Libya and Gadafi fled. Even though their declarations did not succeed as hoped, it does not mean they have totally failed. Unrest and fighting is still continuing in Syria and other areas. In my opinion, I think that the UN has achieved some of their goals in certain countries, but there is still much progress to be made. What do you think? The UN peacekeepers that

were sent in.

A UN confrence about the Civil War in Libya