By Ramatoulie Jawo
Honorable Seedy S.K. Njie, Deputy Speaker of the Gambia National Assembly and head of the Gambian delegation at the 148th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Geneva, Switzerland, made a compelling plea on Monday, March 25, 2024, for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and across Palestine. His impassioned plea aimed to stem further bloodshed and alleviate the dire humanitarian crisis facing the Palestinian people.
“We echo the calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and across Palestine to prevent further bloodshed and alleviate the dire humanitarian situation facing the Palestinian people. It is imperative to acknowledge that the root causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are entrenched in decades of forceful occupation, displacement, and denial of basic fundamental rights to the Palestinian people,” he said.
Speaking under the theme “Parliamentary Diplomacy: Building Bridges for Peace and Understanding,” Hon. Njie emphasized the critical need for dialogue and cooperation. He urged all parties involved to recognize the immense suffering caused by ongoing violence.
“The Government and people of The Gambia, under the leadership of His Excellency, Adama Barrow, stands in solidarity with the international community in condemning all forms of violence and aggression, particularly the recent Israeli military operations in Gaza. These operations have resulted in the loss of innocent lives, widespread destruction to properties, and profound humanitarian suffering,”
Hon. Njie emphasizes The Gambia’s dedication to honoring international law, human rights, and UN General Assembly resolutions as crucial pillars for a lasting resolution to the ongoing conflict. He highlights the imperative to recognize the deep-seated issues at the core of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, rooted in decades of occupation, displacement, and denial of fundamental rights to the Palestinian people.
“My delegation and I called on the UN Security Council to act positively and passed a unified resolution to condemn Israel and end the war. In this vein, we emphasize the importance of accountability and justice for all parties responsible for violations of international law and human rights,“ he said.
He called for thorough and impartial investigations into alleged atrocities committed during recent military operations in Gaza, emphasizing the need to hold perpetrators accountable and ensure justice for the victims.
Expressing unwavering support for the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people, Hon. Njie reiterated the call for the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital based on pre-1967 borders.
He urged the international community to intensify efforts to facilitate a comprehensive and inclusive peace process addressing the root causes of the conflict, with the aim of achieving a just and durable solution for all involved parties.