MPAC commends Shettima for Nigeria’s firm support of Palestinian independence

The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) Wednesday commended Nigeria’s vice president, Kashim Shettima for his decisive and principled stance on the Palestinian issue during his address at the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79).

Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu, had called for an immediate ceasefire and reaffirmed Nigeria’s long-standing support for the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people for sovereignty and independence.

MPAC stated that the Gaza conflict, reignited on October 7, 2023, has already claimed over 40,000 lives and left thousands more wounded, most of them women and children.

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Executive Chairman, Disu Kamor, in a statement, said, “The vice president’s call for peace and justice is consistent with Nigeria’s long-standing commitment to the values of freedom, human rights, and opposition to oppression in all its forms-values deeply rooted in our shared global history of anti-colonialism and the fight against apartheid.

“Before the assembly of nations, Vice President Shettima underscored the failure of the international community to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which has persisted for decades. He rightly pointed out that the continued violence and instability are stark reminders of the world’s inability to fulfil the founding ideals of the United Nations-ideals aimed at promoting equality, justice, and the right of all peoples to live free from oppression.”

The centre urged the Nigerian government to continue to remain vocal and active in the pursuit of justice for the Palestinian people.

“It is critical that Nigeria, alongside other nations of conscience, holds Israel accountable and those arming it to commit massacre after massacre with absolute impunity responsible for crimes against humanity.

“A sustainable peace can only be achieved when the injustices meted out to the Palestinians are addressed, and the Palestinian people are granted their full rights under international law,” the centre added.