Nigerian Government on Wednesday demanded the granting of full independence to the people of the Palestinian State. This was contained in a speech by Vice President Kashim Shettima while addressing to the UN General Assembly.
Shettima emphasized that the Palestinian people deserve to have a home of their own on territories already recognized by international law.
Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the UNGA, Shettima described the the situation in Gaza and other Palestinian Territories are heart-wrenching.
He said, “We cannot discuss war and peace. Conflicts and reconciliation or digital humanitarian imperatives today without reflecting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. That has been raging since 7th October last year.”
“Palestine deserves independence. Recognized by this very Assembly and by international law, which is being routinely ignored.”
The Vice President added that Nigeria continues to urge efforts to bring back on track the ‘two-state solution’. This, he said, offers the prospect of a new beginning for the region.
Reports stated that most of the world leaders who spoke at the Assembly focused on the war in Gaza. They condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza, where local health authority figures show that more than 41,000 people have been killed since the Israel-Hamas war began nearly one year ago.
Other countries who spoke similarly to Nigeria at UNGA on Palestinian independence include South Africa, Namibia, Greece, and Colombia.
Recall that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict predates this period and has been simmering for a better part of half a century.
Addressing the Assembly Shettima noted that the war in Gaza shows that the international community has failed to live up to the spirit and aspirations of the United Nations. Which is to rid the world of inequality, violence and domination of one people by another.
He said, “Justice is antithetical to revenge.”
“Freedom is an inalienable right and a natural entitlement that cannot be denied to any people.”
The Vice President also used the occasion to reaffirm Nigeria’s commitment to supporting United Nations Peacekeeping Operations.
He said, “We recognize the need for Africa to build strong and professional armies to meet the multiple challenges we face. Consequently, we reiterate the call for international support to operationalize the African Standby Force. This is in addition to the provision of requisite support and resources to ensure the upgrade, take-off and effectiveness of a Centre of Excellence on issues of counter-terrorism in Africa.”
Shettima, therefore, urged world leaders to recommit themselves to multilateralism. They they should do by deepening relations among member states of the United Nations in line with the principles of inclusivity, equality and cooperation.
According to the VP, this is the surest guarantee of global action against existential challenges faced by the international community.
Shettima also used the opportunity of the speech insists on permanent seats for Nigeria and other African nations at the UN Security Council
He also called for collective action against hunger, terrorism, climate change, and others.
Lastly, the VP seeks renewed financial architecture, and debt forgiveness for developing countries, like Nigeria.
source: Premium Times
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