Palestine remains a priority for Africa as more than a dozen leaders from across the continent stressed the need for Israel to end its occupation of Palestine and reiterated the inalienable legitimate right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and freedom during their addresses via video at the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly last week.
Kenya Senegal Namibia South Africa Niger Algeria Egypt Lesotho Libya Morocco Burkina Faso Congo The Gambia Sao Tome and Principe all mentioned the need for the creation of a Palestinian state to ensure a just long-lasting peace for Palestinians and Israelis.
Leaders also stressed the need for Israel to halt annexation plans the construction of illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) and for the international community to step up efforts to hold Israel accountable for its violations of international law.
Kenyan leader Uhuru Kenyatta called for “renewed and genuine international efforts to find a just and lasting solution” to end the Israeli occupation within the framework of UN resolutions.
Senegalese foreign minister Amadou Ba underlined the “right of the Palestinian people to an independent and viable Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.”
South African president Cyril Ramaphosa reminded the international community that “the people of Palestine continue to live under occupation” and repeated the call for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.
“The 17 interconnected Sustainable and their promise to leave no-one behind by 2030 ring hollow for the people of Palestine…who still remain under occupation” said Hage Geingbob president of Namibia.
Despite Israel’s intensive diplomatic and economic courting of African states in the last few years African leaders have remained consistently supportive of Palestinian rights at international fora such as the United Nations and African Union.
The PLO Department of Public Diplomacy welcomed the statements made by Heads of State about Palestine and Palestinian rights during their addresses. Africa remains an important pillar of solidarity and support for Palestinians.
