Speakers from African Regional and National Parliaments Express Solidarity with Palestine

Speakers from African Regional and National Parliaments have come together to issue a statement of solidarity with the people of Palestine. During a conference held on September 20, 2024 at the Pan-African Parliament in South Africa, the leaders expressed their unwavering commitment to peace, justice, and human dignity for Palestinians suffering amidst escalating violence. They emphasized that the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Palestine calls for immediate international intervention and the recognition of Palestinians’ right to self-determination.

The statement not only condemned the loss of innocent civilian lives but also reaffirmed the African continent’s support for the United Nations’ recent ceasefire resolution. The Speakers called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and stressed that dialogue and negotiations must be the path forward. “We cannot remain silent in the face of grave injustices,” they declared, urging the international community to halt the violence and ensure that humanitarian aid reaches those in dire need.

Additionally, the African parliamentary leaders urged global stakeholders to support UN resolutions aimed at establishing peace and a sovereign Palestinian state. They called on African nations to strengthen their collective efforts to ensure their voices are heard in advocating for justice on the international stage. “The plight of the Palestinian people is a concern for all of humanity,” the statement concluded, pledging continued support for initiatives promoting peace and reconciliation.

Since May 2017, Palestine has held observer status in the Pan-African Parliament (PAP).  Representatives of Palestine including the Ambassador of Palestine to the Republic of South Africa, H.E. Hashem Dajani, H.E. Hanan Jarrar, and the Speaker of the Palestine National Council Rt. Hon. Rawhi Fattouh have graced the Pan-African Parliament in past statutory meetings. The African Union (AU), which oversees the Pan-African Parliament, has long supported the Palestinian cause, dating back to the era of African decolonization. Many African countries sympathize with Palestine due to their own experiences with colonialism and their solidarity with the Palestinian people’s struggle for self-determination.