STATEMENT BY
H.E. MR. AMARA S. M. SOWA
AMBASSADOR & DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE/ CHARGE D’AFFAIRES A.I.
Thank you Mr. President, Excellency Mr. David Lammy MP,
Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs.
Sierra Leone welcomes your presiding over today’s meeting, and we further thank the United Kingdom for
organizing this Ministerial-level briefing.
I also thank Mr. Tor Wennesland, United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East process, for his briefing.
The crisis in the Middle East is a long-standing issue on the agenda of this Council but within the past year we have witnessed a dangerous escalation that has claimed thousands of lives, leaving more than a hundred thousand people injured, destroyed critical civilian infrastructure and forced displacement of civilians at a scale never before seen in the history of the Middle East conflict.
This recent escalation since the 7th October 2023 indicates that a definitive solution is required, as a matter of extreme urgency. It is, therefore, very clear that this situation continues to have far-reaching and negative implications for regional stability, global peace and security with the either spillover effect or engagements across the region from Lebanon to Syria, to Yemen and Iran.
Sierra Leone from early on was very clear on the condemnation of the heinous attacks by Hamas and other armed groups on Israeli civilians on 7th October 2023. We have also deplored the response of Israel, amounting to collective punishment of the Palestinian people, the large scale and indiscriminate killing of civilians, including
women and children, attacks on hospitals and humanitarian convoys and the denial of access to humanitarian aid, all at the minimum violations of international humanitarian law and cannot be justified under any circumstances.
There is therefore no gain saying that bringing the conflicts in the Gaza Strip and other parts of the region to an end, should remain an immediate priority for this Council and the international community. On this note we welcome the theme for today’s debate which is “Ending the War and Securing Durable Peace”. To achieve this will require the following:
First, the Security Council should act decisively to halt the violence and enforce a ceasefire not only in Gaza but also in Lebanon. We must urge all parties to recommit to the restoration of cessation of hostilities as a precursor for laying the groundwork for further diplomatic negotiations that could lead to an agreement for lasting peace. On that note, the current E10 resolution under discussion on this subject must be given due consideration, as its unanimous adoption can facilitate a cessation of hostilities, hostage release by Hamas and accessibility to humanitarian assistance and basic services without constraint. Cessation of hostilities in Gaza can also facilitate a ceasefire across the Blue Line in Lebanon. Additionally, a lasting ceasefire in Lebanon will require the full and unconditional implementation of resolution 1701 by all sides.
Second, this protracted conflict must be analyzed in the context of the continuing occupation by Israel of
Palestinian territories. This has been established by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion of 19th July 2024 that the State of Israel’s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is unlawful. The international community must therefore, inter alia, vigorously and persistently pursue a revitalization of the Oslo Accords, an initiative that was intended to foster a relationship between Israel and Palestine and prepare the pathway for the establishment of a Palestine State.
Third, and in line with the Arab League Initiative, as endorsed by the Beirut Arab League Summit of 2002 and re-endorsed at the 2007 and at the 2017Arab League summits, all Member States, especially those in the region must accept Israel as a neighbour living in peace and security, in the context of a comprehensive settlement, and normalization of relations void of violent extremism, provocation and incitement.
Furthermore, in order for the Palestinian Authority to progressively assume its security and governance responsibilities in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, a universal recognition of the State of Palestine and its full admission as a Member of the United Nations is a prerequisite. The international community should stand ready to provide the needed financial, administrative and political support that will strengthen the Palestinian Authority to continue with the reforms needed for its
stabilization.
In conclusion, Mr. President, it is mainly through political will and commitment that a just, mutually acceptable solution, consistent with international law, and the relevant UN General Assembly and Security Council resolutions that lasting peace can be achieved. We therefore urge both Israel and Palestine to pledge to this commitment for the safety and security of current and future generations.
I thank you.
