JAMMEH CHALLENGES COUNTERPARTS TO BE SINCERE IN CONFLICT PREVENTION- As he addresses 68th UN Assembl

The Gambian president lamented that “unilateral bullying” and “criminal” invasion of resource-endowed sovereign states under the pretext of strengthening democratisation, combined with terrorism, organised crime, poverty and diseases remain serious threats to global peace and security unless appropriate steps are taken to eradicate them.

The Gambian leader further challenged global counterparts that as they gathered for the 68th Summit of the UN, they must pause and take stock of their collective record in responding to the many different global challenges that mankind has had to grapple with. He observed that the United Nations has indeed adopted countless resolutions, which, if implemented to the letter would have made the world a much better place for the whole of mankind and indeed for all other creatures of the planet.

“But unfortunately, as some member states continue to disregard resolutions necessary for the maintenance of world peace and even question or disregard resolutions passed by this august body with impunity, the United Nations continues to be incapacitated,” he said. 

The president further told the Assembly that civil strife and terrorism caused by what he called the negative behaviour of some world powers are undermining human security and even the viability of states.  He lamented that poverty, hunger and diseases still decimate countless communities, while their capacity to respond to these man-made humanitarian crises remains discriminatory and inadequate. This, he further observed, is demonstrated yet again in the case of Syria. 

“We believe that the creation of UN, in the first place, is to find those lasting solutions for peace and the protection of human life. Informed and honest decisions should be made instead of those driven by the interest of a few self-appointed gods thereby causing irreparable damage to the social fabric and economies of these countries in conflict. My government supports the view that regional organisations in the Middle East should take the lead in such negotiations for a resolution of the crisis in Syria. 

The tragedy unfolding in Syria has become a scar on our conscience as a civilised people and this war must be stopped by all means necessary. It does not make any sense as long as this barbaric war has not been put to an end immediately. Whether chemical weapons are used or not thousands of people would continue to die in the most horrific manner,” he warned leaders.

The Gambian leader called for an immediate end to the Syria war as otherwise the people of Syria would continue to perish at the hands of those he called “satanic and sadistic forces”. He said that the UN Security Council and all the powers behind the war in Syria must not only prevent the use of chemical weapons, but must also bring this brutal war to an immediate end without preconditions.  “The Syria war must be stopped and stopped now,” he added.

Commenting on the importance of peace and security vis-a-vis it’s inextricably linked to development, President Jammeh said The Gambia continues to abide by and live on this principle. This, he informed, has warranted his government’s relentless commitment to peace initiatives under the aegis of the African Union and ECOWAS, successfully culminating in a democratically elected government in Mali a few weeks ago. 

“I seize this opportunity therefore to congratulate the brotherly people of Mali for giving peace a chance by electing a government through democratic means,” he said, while indicating that more concerted efforts through consultations and dialogue shall also soon witness a lasting solution to the political impasse in Guinea Bissau. 

“I am also equally happy at the work currently being undertaken by the African Union High Level Panel on Egypt aimed at achieving inclusive and peaceful transition through dialogue, compromise, reconciliation and tolerance. My government will continue to use its membership of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union to propose peaceful measures, which will facilitate enhanced engagements with a view to acquiring the desired results in our common quest for lasting stability in the continent,” the president said.

Representation at Security Council

The Gambian leader’s statement also touched on Africa’s legitimate quest for full representation on the Security Council, which he said, continues to be a strong warning that needs to be urgently heeded. While underscoring that international peace and security are the business of all and Africa, whose resources ranging from material to human helped to bail the west out of poverty to affluence from the 13th Century up till today, the president stressed that the continent cannot be expected to continue to play second fiddle at the UN Security Council or in any international organisation as from today.

The Gambia, he reiterated, remains resolute in its stance that the permanent and non-permanent membership categories of the Security Council should be equitably distributed regionally and expanded to conform to current geopolitical realities. To this end, he reaffirmed The Gambia’s position to stand by Africa’s demand for two permanent seats as well as two non-permanent seats at the UN Security Council, as clearly articulated in the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration.

“For how long, Mr. President, will the international community continue to ignore the legitimate right and aspiration of a continent of fifty-four states, all members of the General Assembly?  The calls have been very loud and very clear but some Western powers continue to ignore them. This must end or you will see a very dignified, determined and independent Africa assert her legitimate rights worldwide in her own way,” he stressed.

The Gambian leader also highlighted the situation in the Occupied Palestine Territory, a state of affairs he lamented., remains pathetic as a result of decades of collective punishment; consistent with glaring degrading and inhumane treatment of innocent civilians, gross denial of access to humanitarian assistance and basic services, essential medical supplies and construction materials to Palestinians have become the daily rule rather than the exception. 

“The pattern and frequency of these human rights abuses as well as disproportionate use of force perpetrated by the occupying power continues unabated.  The Gambia is of the conviction that the ongoing seizure of Palestinian lands and properties to make way for illegal settlement activity is morally and politically unacceptable.  Such uncalled for behaviour on the part of Israel is a blatant disregard for international law, and casts serious doubt over Israel’s intention for genuine and lasting peace with its brothers and sisters – the Palestinians. 

How can the international community continue to watch in silence such glaring injustice and protracted human rights abuses without feeling an iota of guilt for not taking bold and appropriate steps to put an end to them? How long should we allow such blatant disregard for international law to continue unpunished?” he queried.

While welcoming the resumption of peace talks between Israel and Palestine, President Jammeh expressed hope that this time around, the brokers would be “decent” and “honest” enough to ensure both sides would demonstrate genuine commitments to the two-State solution that would eventually usher in peace and security in the Middle East and beyond. 

“We need renewed and genuine global partnership and commitments that are binding and are based on respect for the sovereignty of each individual state to choose the way of life that is based on their religious and cultural values; as no other administrative system is better than that prescribed by ALLAH the ALMIGHTY,” he told the Assembly.

‘Selective justice’

The Gambian leader also stressed the need for the abolition of what he called “selective justice”, while stressing the need to increase the credibility and effectiveness of the Security Council by also making sure that this issue is eliminated and rejected by all members of the UN family. 

“From all indications, there is absolute need to inject new ideas, impetus and to expand membership to the Security Council in conformity with current geopolitical realities.  Moreover, respect for the principle of equal rights and respect for the sovereign rights of peoples as well as promoting and respecting peaceful relations among all states, rich or poor; black or white; should be the overriding principles for peaceful co-existence between and among Member States if 2015 is to bequeath a peaceful and prosperous world to the future generations of the human race,” he concluded.