By Fatoumatta L. Sisay
His Excellency Dr. Mamadou Tangara, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad recently led the Gambian delegation on behalf of His Excellency Mr. Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of The Gambia and Chairman of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, to the Extraordinary Arab and Islamic Summit in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Chaired by His Royal Highness Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, the summit was held to discuss the ongoing crisis and Israeli aggression against Gaza and Palestinian territories, as well as the attacks on the Republic of Lebanon and the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the overall peace, security and humanitarian situation in the Middle East Region.
In his opening remarks as chair, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, His Royal Highness (HRH) Mohammed bin Salman Al-Saud staid: “We renew our condemnation of the atrocities committed by Israel to the Palestinian people resulting in 150,000 casualties, martyrs, victims and children. We condemn Israel’s continued crimes against Palestine and its persistent violations of the sanctity of the Al-Aqsa Mosque.” HRH Prince Al-Saud maintained that Saudi Arabia reiterates its condemnation and absolute rejection of the genocide inflicted by Israel on the Palestinian people, resulting in over 150,000 casualties, including numerous women and children.
He went on: “Israel’s ongoing crimes against civilians, its repeated violations of the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque, and its undermining of the Palestinian Authority’s vital role across Palestinian territories only serve to impede efforts to secure the Palestinian people’s legitimate rights and to achieve peace in the region”. For his part, His Excellency Dr. Mamadou Tangara posited that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and other Palestinian territories are both profound and devastating, affecting the most vulnerable population including women, children, the elderly and the disabled. “Access to basic needs such as education, health care, shelter, sanitation and food have also been a challenge faced by the communities affected and the long term impact of this can hinder their development and the future stability of the region”. Dr Tangara also highlighted that with the continued blockade and destruction in Gaza, its economy will be weakened and many infrastructure facilities affected. This, he wraned, will result in deepened poverty and hamper future recovery and increase dependence on international aid. Minister Tangara called for an urgent and coordinated international response to alleviate human suffering, protect human rights and foster durable peace that addresses the root causes of the conflict.
“The Gambia continues to strongly condemn the genocidal and heinous acts, war crimes and crimes against humanity committed against the Palestinians by the Israeli occupying forces. These actions are a complete violation of the Geneva Convention and other relevant provisions of International Humanitarian Law and all international and humanitarian norms,” he asserted Minister Tangara also expressed The Gambia’s deep concern over the recent enactment of laws by the Israeli Parliament (the Knesset) banning the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinian Refugees, describing it as in total contravention of the UN Charter and International Law.
The Summit concluded on the same day and in its final statement, it condemned the continued Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip as well as war crimes and massacres committed by the colonial occupation. In the same vein, it rejects in totality the narratives that attempt to defend these acts. It supports the steps taken by the Arab Republic of Egypt to confront the consequences of the brutal Israeli aggression on Gaza and supports its efforts to bring aid into the Strip.
The statement calls on the UN Security Council to take decisive action that will result in a halt to the aggression and curb the colonial occupation authority in its violation of international laws and legitimate resolutions. It also expresses concerns that the UN SCs failure to act, which it says represents complicity, emboldening Israel to continue its brutal aggression which victimizes innocent women, children and the elderly. The Minister was accompanied by H. E. Mr. Omar Gibril Sallah, Ambassador of The Gambia to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Permanent Representative to the OIC; Ambassador Habib T. B. Jarra, Deputy Head of Mission and Deputy Permanent Representative to the OIC; Ambassador Yankuba Dibba, Chief Executive Officer, Gambia OIC Secretariat; and Mr. Momodou Sabally, Presidential Adviser, Office of The President.
