South Africa welcomes the adoption by the Human Rights Council of Resolution A/HRC/L.30 on the Human Rights Situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the Obligation to Ensure Accountability and Justice by 28 votes in favour, 13 abstentions and eight votes against.

The adoption of the resolution is historic as this is the very first time that the Human Rights Council has taken action on the unprecedented human tragedy taking place in Gaza, where at least 32,975 Palestinians have been killed, including more than 14,500 children, since Israel launched its onslaught over 180 days ago.

In calling for accountability and justice, the resolution emphasises the need to ensure that all those responsible for violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law are held to account and highlights the need to ensure the provision of an effective remedy for all victims and the need to pursue practical steps to ensure the prevention of future violations and international crimes.

As part of this process, the resolution recognises the importance of the order issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that indicated provisional measures in the case lodged by South Africa against Israel on the application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

South Africa believes that it is only through ensuring accountability and justice that the impunity accorded to Israel that has entrenched the ongoing unlawful occupation can finally be brought to an end.

It therefore remains crucial that Israel respects and implements the ICJ’s orders, together with United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2728 (2024) demanding an immediate and lasting ceasefire, which resolution A/HRC/L.30 will no doubt contribute to its securing.

*During the debate on the resolution, South Africa’s Permanent Representative, Ambassador Mxolisi Nkosi, stated that, “the international community can no longer choose to apply a parallel system of international law to Israel, nor can we be complicit in facilitating its actions. For international law to be credible, it must be uniformly applied and serve the victims that it is designed to protect”.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with Palestinian Prime Minister, Dr. Mohammed Mustafa, and his accompanying delegation, including Minister of Planning, Wael Zakout. The meeting was also attended by Prime Minister, Dr. Mustafa Madbouly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sameh Shoukry, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Hala El-Said, in addition to Palestinian Ambassador to Egypt, Diab Al-Louh.

Spokesman for the Presidency, Counselor Dr. Ahmed Fahmy, stated that President El-Sisi welcomed the Palestinian Prime Minister, wishing him and the new Palestinian government success in their efforts to achieve the aspirations of the Palestinian people. The President emphasized Egypt’s immutable position in support of the Palestinian cause, until the just Palestinian rights are guaranteed for a sovereign and independent state along the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. This position was appreciated by the Palestinian Prime Minister, who conveyed to President El-Sisi the greetings and appreciation of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

The Palestinian Prime Minister lauded Egypt’s steadfast support for the Palestinian rights, its tireless efforts, under the leadership of President El-Sisi, to stop the bloodshed of the Palestinian people and its categorical rejection of the liquidation of their cause and legitimate rights.

The meeting reviewed Egypt’s massive efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza, exchange detainees, and ensure the delivery of much-needed aid and relief in adequate quantities to address the severe humanitarian crisis in the sector. The Palestinian Prime Minister commended Egypt’s historical role in assuming the responsibility of facilitating the delivery of relief aid into Gaza, despite the impediments and challenges encountered in this process.

The two sides confirmed their unequivocal rejection of the displacement of the Palestinians from their lands or the liquidation of the Palestinian cause, warning against the military escalation and the continuous expansion of the cycle of the conflict. They reiterated that a just settlement of the Palestinian issue is the guarantor for restoring security and stability in the region.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

President Cyril Ramaphosa offers his deep condolences to the government and people of the Republic of Mozambique following a disaster at sea in which nearly 100 people have perished.

At least 97 people reportedly died, and a small number of people were rescued in the incident which took place near Lunga in Nampula Province on Sunday, 07 April 2024.

On behalf of the government and people of South Africa, President Ramaphosa offers his condolences to President Filipe Nyusi and the government and people of Mozambique and especially families who have lost relatives.

President Ramaphosa said: “As neighbours, we are deeply saddened by this tragedy and we wish authorities and citizens well in the recovery effort and the search for missing persons.

“We also pray for a speedy recovery for survivors of this incident.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.

The NTF V Senegal Tech project at ITC led a delegation of 10 digital services companies on a mission to discover the Guinean market.

A launching pad to Guinea

One of the most effective ways of getting started in exporting is through a business trip, to better understand a target market and to make contacts. Thanks to the Netherlands Trust Fund V (NTF V) project at the International Trade Centre (ITC), a dozen small Senegalese tech companies traveled to Conakry from 20-24 November to seize new business opportunities.

For Cheikh Sy, head of digital services company YOWIT, this business trip came at just the right time.

‘We already had a customer in Guinea, but we didn’t have enough time to look for new prospects. NTF V took care of scheduling around 10 sales meetings for us, with strategic prospects,’ he said. ‘We quickly signed our first contract with an Internet service provider, followed by two others with fuel distributors. Further discussions are currently underway. This mission has clearly exceeded our expectations.’

For Cheikh Sy, this is not the end of the story: he regularly returns to Conakry to assess the possibility of teaming up with a major local partner. For him, there’s no doubt that NTF V’s support has accelerated his export strategy.

‘This collegial visit saved us precious time, as well as encouraging synergies among the companies in the delegation. I’ve kept in touch with several of them with a view to possible partnerships,’ he said.

Supporting and facilitating export prospecting

Aristarc, a Dakar-based company that develops web and mobile applications, had already launched sales initiatives in Guinea when the opportunity for the business trip to Conakry arose.

For managing director Diyé Dia, the mission was a real boon.

‘While it’s a very effective way of gaining a better understanding of a foreign market and forging new relationships, business travel is still costly,’ he said. ‘Thanks to this mission, NTF V gave us the means to continue and strengthen the prospecting work we had begun in Guinea.’ 

With a particular interest in microfinance institutions, Aristarc was able to make seven key meetings with Guinean banking and insurance players.

‘It was very convenient because the interviews were planned in advance. To increase our chances of success, we extended our visit and offered our prospects two days of training. This was an opportunity for Aristarc to showcase its solutions and know-how.’

The initiative paid off, with the company issuing around 10 quotes. Discussions are ongoing, and Diyé Dia is confident.

‘NTF V is opening up new horizons for us. Last year we were in Ulan Bator, this year in Guinea. The strength of the program lies in its ability to get us involved in international events and to facilitate our access to prospects.’

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Trade Centre.