Botswana’ main opposition party, the Botswana National Front (BNF), has called on the government of Botswana to terminate all relations with Israel. This comes in the wake of Israel’s massacre of 60 people on the Israel-Gaza border on Monday.
In a scathing statement, BNF’s Secretary for International Affairs, Nelson Ramaotwana said: “The BNF does not only condemn the barbaric acts of Israel but call upon the government of Botswana to terminate forthwith all diplomatic relations, trade linkages, military and intelligence support from Israel. We call upon Batswana from all walks of life to boycott and disinvest from Israel products and businesses in solidarity with 61 butchered and 2700 injured Palestinians.”
African condemnation of Israeli massacre continues
Condemnation from Africa has been pouring in since Monday’s bloodbath, which has been likened to the Sharpeville massacre perpetrated by apartheid South Africa’s military forces against unarmed protesters in 1960.
Southern African Development Community (SADC)
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) – an inter-governmental organization with the goal of furthering socio-economic, political and security co-operation among 16 southern African states – “strongly condemned the killing of unarmed protesters who have taken to the streets in a non-violent protest.”
The SADC statement reaffirmed the African Union (AU) position calling for the establishment of a Palestinian State based on the June 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital in, implementation of the principle of the two-State solution and UN Resolution 194 on the return of Palestinian refugees.
Currently chaired by South Africa, SADC members include Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Earlier this week, AU chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, slammed the “disproportionate use of force by the Israeli army.” On Thursday, the Pan-African Parliament adopted the AU stance.
South African Parliament asked to downgrade relations with Israel
On Thursday, the National Freedom Party (NFP) in South Africa submitted a motion to Parliament calling for the South African embassy in Israel be downgraded to a liaison office. NFP leader, Ahmed Shaik Emam, said: “The endless barbaric acts of terrorism perpetuated against the Palestinians by the apartheid Israel regime, the mass murder of innocent Palestinians including women and children are done with absolute impunity. Countries, including South Africa, have been far too patient while people are killed and international law is ignored.
Today we want action. Today the NFP will help ensure that action is taken against the apartheid regime of Israel. The time to act is now, all the rhetoric in the world is fruitless if no real action is taken – I, and we as the NFP, will shake this Parliament and government into action. The NFP wants decisive action, but more importantly we want real action.”
The National Assembly would vote on the motion at the next available sitting of the House.
South African rep at UN HRC: “HRC investigation essential”
At an emergency UN Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva on Friday, South Africa’s representative, Ambassador Nozipho Mxakato-Diseko stressed that the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry into the Israeli massacre is the most effective way of responding to urgent crises in the world by the HRC. After a 29-2 vote, with US and Australia opposed, the HRC approved an investigation into Israel’s killing of Palestinian protesters since March 30.
“We have done it for Syria, Burundi, South Sudan, among others. It cannot be that this mechanism is reserved only for settling geopolitical scores, thereby creating a perception of selectivity by the Council. We cannot pick and choose the countries to which this mechanism is applied. Therefore, what is being called for here is not new, but tried and tested and above all proportionate. This Commission should strive to complete its work as these other Commissions have done…” Mxakato-Diseko explained.
A bold step indeed but what’s the voice of an opposition party in Africa worth on a complex political and economic stage controlled and managed by the US?
As Bax would say, without a collective African bargaining power, this might just be equated to blowing hot air just for the sake of it.
Not only that Lamin, Bax: in October 1973 ALL AFRICA broke off diplomatic relations with Israel and backed the Arab cause in the Yom Kippor War. What happened after that? ONLY Gadaffy’s Libya stood 100% with Africa. Sorry Botswana, the Arabs and Israelis are all USA allies and can take their problems to Uncle Sam … keep us Africans out of it.
If I were in Kensington(?), I would have invited you tomorrow to lunch in an African restaurant for that one.
But look, it just came to my mind that without the economic fire power, any political coalition amongst African states will be short lived and in vain.
I have a question for all.
Why do we have an under representation of our women folk in the political discourse in our country; even on this platform?
We only have Doc battling it out to keep things a bit gender balanced.
My message: if there are any sisters, aunts or mothers out there following the debates and discussions here, believe in yourself and come on board.
Don’t let language standards bar you. We all make mistakes and stuff.
Do not think the people here are any smarter than you. Let your voice be heard. That’s vital for our liberation and progress.
That’s the smartest thing Lamin has said thus far. Well done.
I take offense at that because it’s mean spirited.
No malice intended, No insults directed at you, actually respect your view and suggestions. It was an attempt at humor. My apologies.
With the benefit of hindsight, I came to the realization that you have in fact insulted me in a very subtle manner. I believe your intention was to damage my integrity in this community. For the same of modesty, I thought I will bring my protest to your attention and that should suffice.
However, after a rereading of your post, I have decided to demand for an unreserved apology from you for overstepping the bounds of civility with the words directed at my person.
Failure To apologize will leave me with no other choice but to adapt the same method as you, in all subsequent exchanges on Jollofnews.
Lamin, I think you should chill bro. I can honestly say that you have said MASSIVE AMOUNTS of “smart things” on this forum – and the good Dr. has simply chosen this as “the smartest”: not the ONLY “smart thing” … but “the smartest”.
PS: I will hold you to that meal – at the Kairaba Beach Hotel someday (inshallah)!
All good, to all.
The conversations to make our nation better goes on.
I owe you and of course Dr. I.S. a meal at the KBH.
That’s an exception to the people’s centre am willing to make. Lol
LoL Dr, we are on, can you handle both of us?
Lamin; sister Dr’s last post was in fact an ‘apology’ (in clarification) already in connotation; & none could’ve said better than Dida; yes, the female gender needs to engage & demand that “critical-level” representation of the gender balance at Communal decision making levels, across the board; the Human Development Index used to have set target to some 35% for women, at least (which I expect, should now up towards some 40% by my own projection, from then on); being involved in compiling the periodic updates for ECA (Economic Commission of Africa) some time on Gambia; gender disparity (imbalance) for macro societal advancements are seriously lacking & still continues to be amongst other relevant issues for opposite gender emancipation, not against anyone (in contrast) but for overall societal advancements, with the time & age; while we endeavour to improve upon constantly, progressively along…
Women are the “backbone” of society & humanity in general; bravado to Lady Mayoress Banjul; hopefully, a lady president in the offing sooner; I bet you all Gambian women for the challenge; I will be the first to be counted in your (the person’s) support…
God bless Gambia….
Our society not unlike most is male dominant, women roles and contributions are not respected or taken seriously in matters of politics, leadership, economics and power. Our suggestions are discounted or assigned some patronizing deferment. On this forum alone, I can’t count how many times I have been insulted or otherwise bullied for rendering an opinion on subject matter I consider important to my country development. Most women will prefer not to deal with that. We are a long way from respecting women and treating them gently as we would treat our own mothers. Hopefully we will get there some day.
In solidarity with Dr. Sarr and all black women:
I hereby declare my solemn willingness before, now and forever to consciously take steps both active and inactive to further and support the progress and development of women in The Gambia and Africa.
I also accept and acknowledge to benefit from privileges that are not earned but unfairly bestowed on me and all men from birth. I promise to make efforts to right that wrong.
Furthermore, I know toxic masculine behavior is a predominant cause of retrogression in efforts to empower our mothers, sisters and aunts. I am on my personal journey to unlearn so many, if not all of these traits that have contaminated nearly everyone amongst us.
If I have ever insulted or bullied Dr. Sarr, I sincerely apologize for that mishap and promise to be more selective with my words in the future in our dialogues and all other women for that matter.
I hereby also call on all men to do the same and never to defer to listen to women and take their view points and ideas into consideration. And not to stop at consideration but to have equal respect for same in decision making.
Men! Do these and don’t expect to be applauded because our women folk owe us nothing for respecting them except respect in turn.
This is what will bring about our ultimate liberation.
Yours in the service of The Gambia and Africa, I remain.
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Lamin, that is REALY sweet.
Rectification please – bravo to the Lady Mayoress Banjul; (not bravado); my phone is the devil in this suggestive text error…
Thanks
Bajaw, Lamin, Dida, Bax and Dr IS, if we were looking for a lady for a presidential candidate, we have one right here that bears all the hallmarks of a good leader for The Gambia.
A leader that’ll stand up for what she believes in, not afraid to speak truth to power, looks men in the eye when it comes to the discharge of leadership role. Wield a carrot and a stick all while being confident and courteous but quite willing to have men for breakfast if need be.
She can’t come wearing a Burrka or Hijab though.
Having raised three daughters (no ideas Luntango-Nijaye) that I hope are well grounded, I have no qualms about an IRON lady for President. So Dr Sarr please stand up!
Top NBA players … and Championship prediction 2018.
#1. LeBron James and the Cavs – UNSTOPABLE;
#2. Harden and the Houston Rockets – Great but NO STYLE! Second.
#3. Curry, Durant and Golden State Warriors – No match for James and Curry is sickly at the moment. Third.
See photos at Facebook “Sambagate Snr”.
Dida could you please reach out to the Doc because I have a feeling despite all the good things that’s been said about her, she might still be in a sulky mood.
And may be rightly so.
Tell her Andy has nominated her (in absentia?) to be a presidential candidat. Tell her she will have my backing and we will work together despite our different ideological and philosophical positions on a number of issues.
And finally, let her know her presence is dearly been missed.
Oh noooooo Andrew, no desire to complicate my life. While you guys play hooky, I was on my feet for 8 hrs working. Can’t give away any HIPPA rights, but lets just say I was sweating bullets. Wow Lamin that’s sweet, but I actually like the very thoughtful, no nonsense approach better. LOL.
“but I actually like the very thoughtful, no nonsense approach better.”
I second that motion.
Dr Sarr, if we keep ruminating over important matters, toying around with them but not wishing to tackle the complexities and the guts that it’ll take to move The Gambia into the modern age, we would be doing our nation the ultimate disservice.
Inaction is not an option. So we can’t be seen to be shirking our responsibilities by unwittingly letting leadership fall in the laps of individuals that may not mean well. There’s no shortage of good folks that can make a difference but tend to have cold feet whenever it comes to taking a leap of faith at the mantle of leadership. The time is here to rally the troops for 2020 or 2022. We can’t have a de facto One Party State all over again or a Mama Kandeh stealing the show on account of sheer happenstance!!
How about a “Rainbow Coalition” folks?
I see on this forum a great resource pool of folks itching to turn this GAMBIA of ours around for the better. You know yourselves. Come on!
Lamin and Bax, you will not be turning your back on Talinding (what our Nigerian brethren fondly call Taaalindin) but counting on the synergies to be realized. So Dr Sarr, don’t count yourself out just yet.
We may even be able to rake in the Babu Soli himself!
Yep Babu, only in my wildest dreams right?
Never say never Doc.
Andy is in a mobilization and organization mode and he has my backing. At least in word.
The political space is now fertile for the best to give it their best for our people and our nation. That’s a sacred call I will never turn down as I have never turned and will never turn my back on my people. Both in small ways and in bigger ways.
If we don’t do it, nobody else we will do it for our children and their children’s children.
Andy I wanna hear more about this vision of yours.
Lamin, “At least in word”?
How about in mind, spirit and action?
Let’s call this the exploratory phase or testing the waters. So I can’t let too much out of the bag lest GDC takes my ideas to run with them. Smile.
On a serious note, Lamin, I honestly believe that there’s fertile ground for a new dispensation as too many able and sober Gambians with the same concerns as ours aren’t speaking out. A generic question is why The Gambia cannot seem to turn to a different mode than the unsavory age old PPP playbook?
The big question is, how to win them over! Your answers are as good as mine Lamin. The great debater!
Anything that will transform our political landscape from its “normative” default settings to a robust “new” arrangement will not leave me scratching my head.
However, any such arrangements shall be anchored in principles that has stand the test of time.
“At least in word” because I can’t read Andy’s mind to know all that it envisaged. I do agree with you that the old system created by the PPP in its hay days, has outlived the party itself to the detriment of prosperity for our people. No qualms about that. And the UDP is not doing any better!
Yes, the silence from those who can bring about tangible and meaningful change is deafening. I won’t be found wanting in that cowardice.
Well let’s see how the feedback here will be to first guage the political chemistry.
Your mind seems to be on fire. I love it.