Africa-Press – Seychelles. The Speaker of the Parliament of South Africa, Honorable Nosiviwe Noluthando Mapisa-Nqakula, has called for immediate action to end the devastating conflict in Gaza.
Hon. Mapisa-Nqakula made the call last week when she delivered a statement to the 54th Plenary Assembly Session of the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum under Rule 45 of the SADC PF’s Rules of Procedure under which the President of the SADC PF may allow a Speaker or a Leader of Delegation of a Member Parliament who wishes to make a statement on issues of importance to the Forum to do so.
In her statement, the Speaker expressed profound concern over the loss of civilian lives and human rights abuses in the region.
“I rise today with a heavy heart and profound concern over the conflict that has engulfed Gaza leading to unimaginable human trafficking,” the Speaker said, highlighting the destruction of vital infrastructure, displacement of millions, and the loss of thousands of civilian lives, including women, children, and the elderly.
Hon. Mapisa-Nqakula extended condolences to the victims and conveyed solidarity to the Palestinian people who she said endured blatant war crimes. Notably, she said South Africa welcomed the release of hostages under a temporary ceasefire, expressing hope for a de-escalation of the conflict.
Underscoring the need for international pressure, Hon. Mapisa-Nqakula called on SADC Member States and the broader region to unite in urging Israel to cease military aggression through a comprehensive ceasefire. Additionally, she implored the international community to leverage its influence, lifting the complete blockade of Gaza and spearheading reforms within international mechanisms.
“Only through a comprehensive settlement recognising two states coexisting side-by-side can the people of Palestine and Israel attain true freedom and all inherent rights,” the Speaker asserted, urging consistent solidarity for peace and justice.
The President of the SADC PF, Hon. Roger Mancienne, echoed Hon. Mapisa-Nqakula’s sentiments, accentuating the urgent need to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
On the sidelines of COP28, the Seychelles Minister for Agriculture, Climate Change & Environment, Flavien Joubert, chaired a significant negotiation meeting aimed at understanding Seychelles’ position within the global climate talks.
The meeting gathered a diverse team of negotiators representing various segments crucial to the success of COP28.
In attendance were negotiators tracking different segment including Mitigation, Adaptation, Global Stocktake, Finance, Technology Development and Agriculture.
The purpose of this comprehensive gathering was to provide a platform for each negotiator to deliver a brief overview of the current status of discussions within their respective segments.
Global Stocktake, an integral part of COP28, emerged as a critical topic of discussion. Wills Agricole, in his capacity as the lead negotiator, emphasised the importance of the Global Stocktake in formulating a political declaration. This declaration, as proposed by Mr Agricole, aims to enhance Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and strengthen the collective resolve of nations in achieving their climate goals.
During the meeting, negotiators also delved into financial matters, discussing the flow of funds to support climate initiatives, the imperative for capacity building in vulnerable regions, and the optimisation of the Loss and Damage Fund. These discussions underscored the urgency of addressing the financial aspects of climate action to ensure equitable participation and support for developing nations.
Minister Joubert’s leadership in chairing this negotiation meeting showcased Seychelles’ commitment to actively engage in global climate efforts. By fostering open dialogue and collaboration among negotiators, the Seychellois delegation aims to contribute meaningfully to COP28 and advocate for solutions that reflect the unique challenges and needs of small island developing states.
As the negotiation process progresses, Seychelles continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the discourse on climate change, demonstrating that even smaller nations can have a significant impact on the global stage.
Minister Joubert’s adept handling of the meeting reflects the dedication of Seychelles to securing a sustainable and resilient future for all.
The outcomes of these negotiations will undoubtedly influence the trajectory of global climate action and set the stage for meaningful progress in the fight against climate change.
Present at the meeting were Tony Imaduwa, principal secretary for Climate Change; George Uzice, Climate Finance Negotiator; Wills Agricole, Technical Advisor and lead negotiator for Seychelles; Anna Lespoir from the Ministry of Finance, National Planning & Trade; Gabriella Gonthier, Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Officer from the Blue Economy Department; Rennie Mondon from Foreign Affairs department; Maryssa Samedi as a youth representative; and Sheena Talma, Marine Biologist.
“The protracted crisis has led to widespread violations of international humanitarian and human rights law,” the SADC PF President noted. The urgency of upholding international law for a viable path to peace in Gaza was underscored.
Hon. Mapisa-Nqakula and Hon. Mancienne called for the international community to unite, ensure accountability for violations, and work toward a peaceful resolution respecting all parties’ rights and aspirations.
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