STATEMENT BY:
H.E. DR. MICHAEL IMRAN KANU
AMBASSADOR AND PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE
Madam President,
The Security Council has been convened in the most difficult of circumstances concerning the Middle East. Allow me, however, to congratulate you and Switzerland on assuming the presidency of the Council and assured you of Sierra Leone’s full support and cooperation. Similarly, we congratulate and commend Slovenia on their efficient and excellent stewardship of the Council in the critical month of September (2024).
I also thank the His Excellency António Guterres United Nations (UN) Secretary-General for his important briefing on a tragically escalating situation.
Madam President, Colleagues, Sierra Leone is gravely concerned about the dangerous cycle of escalation in the Middle East, characterized by a spiraling, tit-for-tat or ping pong retaliatory attacks not in conformity with the United Nations Charter, including the application of its Article 51, that can only lead to a mutually assured destruction, if there is no immediate de-escalation.
Despite the resonance and resolute call for ceasefire by our leaders in the General Debate of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, and repeated calls by this Council for a ceasefire and restraint, it must be clear to all that we now have a regional conflict with multiple fronts in Gaza, and violence in the West Bank, in Lebanon; retaliatory attacks between Israel and Iran as well as with the Houthis in Yemen.
Since 7th October 2023 heinous attacks led by Hamas on Israeli civilians, which we have condemned as acts of terror, we are gravely concerned about the escalation of violence that has ensued.
In Gaza, the response by Israel has been characterized by collective punishment, widespread bombardments, and the alarming disregard for international humanitarian law, leading to immense civilian suffering and the destruction of critical civilian infrastructure. Only hours ago, it has been reported that 50 people were killed in southern Gaza – only few hours ago. Gaza cannot be forgotten, as the rate and pace of killings has not subsided, with over 41,000 people killed, and Security Council resolution 2735 all but forgotten.
The protection of civilians must remain our top priority. Sierra Leone is deeply disturbed by reports of disproportionate military responses, the targeting of civilian infrastructure, and the collective punishment of the population in Gaza. We urge all parties to respect the principles of distinction, proportionality, and necessity, as enshrined in international humanitarian law. There can be no justification for the deliberate targeting of civilians or the destruction of critical infrastructure that people rely on for survival.
We continue to call for unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza. The blockade and siege have left civilians in desperate need of food, water, medical supplies, and basic services. Humanitarian access, safety and aid must be allowed to flow to those who are suffering.
Madam President, recent events, including strikes in Lebanon, the killing of a Hezbollah leader, and reported land incursion by Israel are deeply concerning. These developments have heightened the risk of regional destabilization, and we call on all actors to show restraint, avoid further escalation, and recommit to dialogue, and compliance with Security Council resolution 1701.
It is clear that today, Israel and Hezbollah are at war. Sierra Leone has been concerned about the repeated exchanges of fire across the Blue Line since Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel on 8 October 2023 unprovoked. While the exchanges of fire were largely confined to the immediate vicinity of the Blue Line for a short period, we observed the gradual intensification along and, increasingly, well beyond, the Blue Line causing civilian casualties and infrastructure damage, destruction of farmlands and displacement of tens of thousands of civilians.
Members of this Council including Sierra Leone have been expressing the risk of the danger of miscalculation, a wider and devastating regional conflagration as a consequence of the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Today, Middle East is at war.
We note the declaration of Israel to return displaced residents, and further declaration of Hezbollah on a ceasefire in Gaza. We express deep concerns over the dangerous rhetoric relating to the achievement of respective military objectives by the conflicting parties. In this regard, Sierra Leone reiterates that military action is not the best course of action to achieve the stated objectives of the parties.
Sierra Leone therefore calls on the parties to use diplomatic channels including the United Nations’ good offices, to avoid further escalation and risking a war that will include actors outside of the region. This Council must now stand united in calling for the full implementation of all relevant Security Council resolutions, including resolution 1701 (2006) and 1559 (2004). All sides must agree to a ceasefire as a precursor to the resettlement of displaced residents in the south of Lebanon and North of Israel peacefully.
Madam President, a letter dated 1 October 2024 from the Permanent Representative of Iran to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council (issued as a document S/2024/713) confirms what we all witnessed as reported by global news media, to the effect that “the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran carried out a series of missile attacks against the military and security targets of” the State of Israel. The leadership of Israel has vowed to further retaliate.
Sierra Leone condemns all attacks that violate international law and the UN Charter, including as aforesaid the blatant misapplication of Article 51. We join the UN Secretary-General in condemning “the broadening of the Middle East conflict, with escalation after escalation. This must stop. We absolutely need a ceasefire”.
The path to peace cannot be paved with violence. A sustainable solution can only be achieved through genuine dialogue and diplomacy, addressing the legitimate rights and concerns of the conflicting parties, most particularly the aspirations of both the Palestinian and Israeli people. This includes the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and the right of Israel to security within its recognized borders.
In conclusion, Madam President, Sierra Leone continues to call for the parties to consider the global implications of their actions and to recommit to a cessation of hostilities. We urge the Security Council to act decisively: to halt the violence, enforce a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and prisoners, facilitation of access to humanitarian aid, ensure accountability, and work towards a just and lasting solution that respects the rights of all peoples. Let us end the occupation of Palestine, as the International Court of Justice has called for, implement the ‘two-state solution’, and choose a future of peace, stability, and dignity for both Palestinians and Israelis.
Sierra Leone stands firm in its commitment to peace, justice, and international law.
I thank you.
