Africa-Press – Botswana. Botswana has reaffirmed its unwavering support for the freedom, right to self-determination and independence of the people of Palestine.
Acting permanent secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Clifford Maribe stated Botswana’s position at the ministerial meeting of the 19th Non- Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit in Kampala.
Mr Maribe said a number of issues were raised and discussed at the meeting with the current situation in Gaza being the main topic.
He said the NAM ministers called for the cessation of hostilities in the Gaza and the scaling up of humanitarian assistance to the people of Palestine as well as bringing to an end to the mass displacement of Gaza residents.
Mr Maribe also said NAM member states supported South Africa’s stance at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
He said it followed a decision that was taken at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to seek legal clarification from the ICJ. “Botswana supports the decision taken at the UNGA,”said Mr Maribe, adding that the country would also support the decision taken by the ICJ.
He said President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi would engage with other heads of state on a number of issues raised at the ministers meeting amongst them international peace and security, the Palestinian conflict and the plight of the Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs).
Mr Maribe noted that LLDCs faced challenges due to their lack of access to the sea, and that they incurred more trade and transportation costs which resulted in ‘reduced Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), limited export opportunities and slow economic growth’.
Mr Maribe said the group of LLDCs at the UN, which Botswana chaired was working on addressing the challenges in a new ambitious, comprehensive and forward looking programme. He added that the programme would be adopted at the third UN conference on LLDCs in Kigali in June.
For his part, Gambia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr Mamadou Tangara said the NAM summit was timely considering the existential threats and current geopolitical realities which were testing the resilience of countries, the cohesiveness of the global response system and the existence of peace.
Dr Tangara said his country was concerned by conflicts and proposed efforts to bring about lasting peace in Palestine.
“The world is in need of peace makers and peace builders and NAM must launch initiatives that support conflict resolution through the just application of international law,” he said.
He also called for resolutions that would address institutional weaknesses that continue to paralyse the ability of the United Nations Security Council to resolve conflicts.
Mozambique’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Ms Veronicah Dlhovo called for the promotion of peace and security. She said her country supported the self-determination of any sovereign state and respected international law as espoused in NAM’s principles.
For More News And Analysis About Botswana Follow Africa-Press
