THURIST-Nigeria, a human rights organization, has called on Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu to lend support to South Africa’s petition against Israel at the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
South Africa has filed a case accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza, asserting that the recent conflict is part of a long-standing pattern of Israeli oppression against Palestinians.
During the opening statements at the ICJ, South African lawyers presented evidence over the past 13 weeks, arguing that it establishes a clear pattern of conduct and intention, forming a plausible claim of genocidal acts.
Adila Hassim, a South African lawyer, conveyed these points to the judges and the audience at the Peace Palace in The Hague. Hamas officials have expressed optimism that the court will rule favorably in South Africa’s case.
“We welcome the convening of the [case] on the accusation of ethnic cleansing and genocide,” Basem Naim said. “We are looking forward to seeing a decision by the court that would achieve justice for the [Palestinian] victims, end the aggression on Gaza, and hold the war criminals accountable.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly condemned the incident and pledged to continue the fight against Hamas, the militant group responsible for the invasion of Israeli communities on October 7, resulting in the death of approximately 1,200 people, predominantly civilians.
In contrast, Sulaymon A. Tadese, ESQ, Director General of THURIST-Nigeria, asserted in a statement that Nigeria, being a signatory to the 1948 Convention on Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and having a commendable history of intervening and preventing wars during its prolonged period of civilian rule, should take a leading role in advocating for a permanent resolution to the ongoing conflict in Palestine initiated by the Israeli Government.
Sulaymon emphasized that the Israeli military action in occupied Palestine is unnecessary and has the potential to escalate significantly unless there is support from peace-loving nations worldwide, including Nigeria.
The statement reads, in parts, “This is an upside-down world—the state of Israel is accused of genocide while it is fighting genocide,” he said in a video statement. “The hypocrisy of South Africa screams to the heavens.
“The increasing spate of killing in the ongoing war in Palestine and the likelihood of escalation is very high especially in Nigeria amidst the shocking death toll of civilian communities, Children and women in Palestine.
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“The need for international support for a ceasefire and immediate stoppage of all Israeli Military operations in Gaza and other cities in Palestine which the South African government has championed at the Hague deserves to be given full support by Africa’s largest economy.
“Recall that, at a time the Sudan war was waxing stronger a strong message that Africa has no atmosphere for war was sent, by the African Union of which Nigeria is a member State.
“It is on this premise that we, as human rights organization in Nigeria whose topmost priority is the call for continuance enjoyment of human and people’s rights for all and sundry have deemed it necessary to call on Nigeria, as the Giant Nation of Africa and a signatory to the Convention on Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in 1948, with an outstanding record of intervention and prevention of war given her long reign of civilian rule for decades, deserves to be at the forefront of the struggle to put a permanent end to the ongoing war in Palestine by the Israeli Government.
“The Israeli war in Palestine is needless and might escalate beyond imagination, except with the support of peace-loving nations of the world including Nigeria.”
“We urge the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to support South Africa on this great move to restore normalcy and ensure world peace,” the statement added.
(SaharaReporters)