In a session at the United Nations Security Council, Ghana made headlines by choosing to abstain from voting on a resolution concerning the conflict in Gaza. The resolution, proposed by Russia, aimed to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the war-torn region.
The Russian-led draft called for a humanitarian ceasefire, the release of hostages, aid access, and the safe evacuation of civilians. Of the Council's 15 members, the draft received five votes in favour, including China, Gabon, Mozambique, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates. On the other side, four countries, namely France, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, voted against it. Ghana's abstention was notable, making it the only African nation to do so. Gabon and Mozambique, also from Africa, voted in favour. Other countries that abstained included Albania, Brazil, Ecuador, Malta, and Switzerland.
It's worth noting that for a UN resolution to be adopted, it requires at least nine affirmative votes, without any of the five permanent members issuing a veto.
Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia expressed regret over the resolution's failure, attributing it to what he called the “selfish intention of the Western bloc.” He emphasized the urgent need to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and called for unified action.
US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield criticized the resolution for not addressing Hamas' actions and failing to condemn the group's terrorist activities. She underscored the importance of holding Hamas accountable for civilian casualties and the dire situation in Gaza.
Riyad Mansour, the Permanent Observer of the Observer State of Palestine to the UN, urged the Security Council to strictly adhere to international law and stressed the severity of the situation for Palestinians.
Israeli Ambassador Gilad Erdan characterized the moment as pivotal for the Security Council. He called on the Council to designate Hamas as a terrorist organization and hold it accountable for the situation in Gaza. Additionally, he advocated for full support of Israel's right to self-defence and the immediate release of all hostages.
