THE Namibian government has strongly condemned the United States’ decision to veto a draft resolution at the UN Security Council (UNSC), which urgently sought to grant the State of Palestine full membership of the United Nations.
During last Thursday’s UNSC meeting, the US used its veto powers in the UN Security Council to block a Palestinian submission for it to be considered for full UN membership, which also saw 12 countries vote in favour of the resolution.
Only the United Kingdom and Switzerland abstained from the vote, which was introduced by Algeria.
For a draft resolution to pass, the UNSC must have at least nine members voting in favour and none of its permanent members – China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, United States – using their veto power.
As a result, the Namibian government through its international relations and cooperation minister Peya Mushelenga expressed dismay over the US decision to prevent the adoption of the resolution at the UNSC to recommend to the General Assembly, Palestine’s full UN membership.
“Namibia expresses strong disappointment over the veto by the United States preventing the adoption of the resolution to recommend to the General Assembly, Palestine’s full membership in line with the provisions of Article 4 of the UN Charter. This is a serious setback to the international community’s efforts to finding a peaceful and lasting solution to the unwarranted protracted Israel-Palestine conflict,” said Mushelenga.
Mushelenga, who in recent weeks has been uncompromising on Namibia’s strong stance on various national and international political and diplomatic matters, said the latest US decision borders on self-interest and derails global peace efforts.
“The use of the veto in the UNSC to deny the State of Palestine its legitimate right for UN membership is testimony that some powerful member states of the UN value their national interest at the expense and detriment of the values and norms of the international community. Regrettably, while small states believe in the lofty ideals and principles inscribed in the Charter of the UN, the action by a permanent UNSC member [US] to prevent Palestine’s full membership leaves serious doubt on their full commitment to these noble principles.”
Despite the latest setback, Mushelenga maintained that Namibia will continue to advocate and use all diplomatic and political channels to fight for the rights and statehood of the Palestinian people.
“In this regard, Namibia continues to call for the immediate reform of the UNSC to address inequity and injustice, in order to reflect the present reality and ensure the legitimacy of its decisions. As a country that has been denied its inalienable right to self-determination for the longest time, we share the pain of the people of Palestine, and as such, we continue to stand firm in our call to the UN to exert pressure on the UNSC to exercise its Charter assigned responsibility,” he added.
In February, Namibia’s Minister of Justice, Yvonne Dausab told the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that the attacks on Palestinians in Gaza evoke the painful memories of genocide conducted by Germany on Namibians.
She represented Namibia at the ICJ’s public hearings on the legality of the occupation of Palestinian territories by Israel.
Namibia and other countries want the World Court to declare Israel’s occupation illegal.
The US continues to prop up Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories and their war against Palestinians.
“The United States continues to strongly support a two-state solution. This vote does not reflect opposition to Palestinian statehood, but instead is an acknowledgment that it will only come from direct negotiations between the parties,” deputy US ambassador to the UN Robert Wood told the council.
Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas condemned the veto in a statement as “unfair, unethical, and unjustified.”
Palestinian UN ambassador Riyad Mansour, at times emotional, told the council after the vote: “The fact that this resolution did not pass will not break our will and it will not defeat our determination. We will not stop in our effort.”
The Palestinian push for full UN membership came six months into Israel’s assault on Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, and as Israel is expanding settlements in the occupied West Bank, which the UN considers illegal.
In Gaza, where Israel’s assault continues despite withdrawing combat forces earlier this month from southern areas, the death toll passed 34 000, Palestinian health authorities said on Saturday.
Palestine currently has an observer status at the UN since 2012 and has lobbied for years to gain full membership, which would eventually culminate into the full recognition of Palestinian statehood.
Globally, besides its observer status at the UN, Palestine is recognised by 138 out of 193 UN member countries as a state and enjoys diplomatic relations with those countries.
ohembapu@nepc.com.na
(Gaza 1 and 2)
Caption: Disappointed… International relations minister Peya Mushelenga says Namibia is disappointed with the US decision to block Palestine’s right to full UN membership.
Photo: Nampa