Geingob pleads for world peace
President Hage Geingob has urged world leaders to treasure global peace and to seek mutual understanding instead of violence to solve problems.
Geingob addressed the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Wednesday, where he pleaded for tolerance and dialogue.
“The UN is a great social experiment which features small and large nations coexisting in peace and harmony. If the United Nations did not exist today, I would definitely call for such an organisation to exist,” he said.
Reiterating Namibia's call for international consensus that Israel's occupation of Palestine must end, Geingob said: “We reiterate that statehood and independence are the national, inalienable, and legal rights of the Palestinian people. We therefore join the call for the two-state solution to be pursued with renewed vigour and determination.”
The president once again advocated for the inalienable rights to self-determination and national independence of the people of Western Sahara.
“We call upon for the urgent implementation of all Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, with the aim of holding a free and fair referendum in Western Sahara.”
The president also hailed the reconciliation between the United States and Cuba. “We believe that this rapprochement should lead to the full lifting of economic and financial embargo against the Republic of Cuba and its people, who have the right to pursue peace and a decent life.”
On 20 July 2015, Cuba and the United States restored diplomatic relations that had been severed in 1961 during the Cold War. This has seen the reopening of embassies in the two countries.
Real Talk
Geingob further urged the UNGA to make real strides to include Africa on the Security Council and not only to see it as a source of commodities, saying Africa is an important and equal partner of the international community, with a contribution to make.
The issue of permanent seats on the Security Council has long been a bone of contention. The African Union (AU) has over the years demanded that African countries should have permanent seats on the Security Council by 2023.
According to Geingob, it makes sense that Africa should be included, as 26 out of 52 UN peacekeeping and special political missions are in Africa.
“Therefore, we recognise the institutional partnership between the UN Security Council and the African Union in the maintenance of international peace and security. This not only enhances cooperation between the two institutions, but also adds greater legitimacy to the decisions taken by the Security Council on Africa.”
The Security Council is composed of 15 members, five of which are permanent members, namely China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. Ten non-permanent members are elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly.
JEMIMA BEUKES
Geingob addressed the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Wednesday, where he pleaded for tolerance and dialogue.
“The UN is a great social experiment which features small and large nations coexisting in peace and harmony. If the United Nations did not exist today, I would definitely call for such an organisation to exist,” he said.
Reiterating Namibia's call for international consensus that Israel's occupation of Palestine must end, Geingob said: “We reiterate that statehood and independence are the national, inalienable, and legal rights of the Palestinian people. We therefore join the call for the two-state solution to be pursued with renewed vigour and determination.”
The president once again advocated for the inalienable rights to self-determination and national independence of the people of Western Sahara.
“We call upon for the urgent implementation of all Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, with the aim of holding a free and fair referendum in Western Sahara.”
The president also hailed the reconciliation between the United States and Cuba. “We believe that this rapprochement should lead to the full lifting of economic and financial embargo against the Republic of Cuba and its people, who have the right to pursue peace and a decent life.”
On 20 July 2015, Cuba and the United States restored diplomatic relations that had been severed in 1961 during the Cold War. This has seen the reopening of embassies in the two countries.
Real Talk
Geingob further urged the UNGA to make real strides to include Africa on the Security Council and not only to see it as a source of commodities, saying Africa is an important and equal partner of the international community, with a contribution to make.
The issue of permanent seats on the Security Council has long been a bone of contention. The African Union (AU) has over the years demanded that African countries should have permanent seats on the Security Council by 2023.
According to Geingob, it makes sense that Africa should be included, as 26 out of 52 UN peacekeeping and special political missions are in Africa.
“Therefore, we recognise the institutional partnership between the UN Security Council and the African Union in the maintenance of international peace and security. This not only enhances cooperation between the two institutions, but also adds greater legitimacy to the decisions taken by the Security Council on Africa.”
The Security Council is composed of 15 members, five of which are permanent members, namely China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. Ten non-permanent members are elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly.
JEMIMA BEUKES
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