Musings From Abroad

ICJ delivers ruling in South Africa’s case against Israel over Hamas war

Published

10 months ago

January 27, 2024

South Africa on Friday secured a World Court verdict that imposes emergency measures against Israel over its war in Gaza.

South Africa’s liberation hero, Nelson Mandela, “will be smiling in his grave” at the World Court order, Justice Minister, Ronald Lamola, said after the ruling.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an order on Friday in a case brought by South Africa, directing Israel to prevent acts of genocide against the Palestinian people and to provide more aid to civilians. However, the ICJ refrained from demanding an immediate ceasefire.

The essential question in South Africa’s case, however, is still pending: did genocide occur in Gaza? It can take years to make that decision.

“We believe that former President Mandela will be smiling in his grave as one of the advocates for the Genocide Convention,” Lamola told journalists on the sidelines of a gathering of the governing African National Congress party outside Johannesburg.

South Africa’s ruling party, the ANC, has stood up for the Palestinian cause for a long time. This relationship was established when Yasser Arafat’s Palestine Liberation Organisation supported the ANC in its fight against oppressive white-minority rule.

The ANC also compared Israel’s actions to the fight against apartheid, a comparison that Israel has denied, claiming that South Africa’s claims of genocide are “grossly distorted” and that it takes every precaution to protect civilians.

Speaking about the case, Lamola emphasised that South Africa’s decision to take the matter to The Hague was a brave move driven by a desire to defend a global order founded on laws.

He added: “It is a victory for international law that there can be no exceptionalism in any part of the world, and Israel cannot be exempt from complying with its international obligations.”

Related Topics:Featured Hamas ICJ South Africa

Click to comment

Musings From Abroad

Brazilian meatpacker JBS invests $2.5 billion in Nigeria, builds six facilities

Published

5 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

Brazilian meatpacker JBS says it has inked a memorandum of understanding with the Nigerian government for a $2.5 billion investment plan that will include the construction of six new plants in the African nation.

Three of the plants would deal in poultry, two in beef, and one in pork, according to a statement from JBS.

In accordance with the memorandum of understanding, JBS stated that it would develop a five-year investment plan in Nigeria, which would include budget estimates, feasibility studies, and an action plan for the development of the local supply chain.

The Nigerian government would then guarantee the sanitary, regulatory, and economic conditions required for the project’s viability, JBS continued.

Musings From Abroad

China’s Xi meets with Morocco’s Crown Prince

Published

6 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

Morocco’s official media reports that Chinese President, Xi Jinping, visited Morocco briefly on Thursday.

According to Morocco’s MAP, Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan welcomed Xi in Casablanca. The visit demonstrated the close ties of camaraderie, collaboration, and solidarity between the Moroccan and Chinese peoples, it said.

China’s official broadcaster, CCTV, said that Xi and Hassan had a “cordial conversation” at the airport after being received by the Crown Prince and Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch.

After attending the G20 Summit in Brazil, Xi paid the visit.

In recent years, China has increased its investments in Morocco’s rail and infrastructure. Morocco is desirable for Chinese electric car battery manufacturers because of its proximity to Europe, free trade agreements with important EU and US markets, and an established automotive sector.

Morocco was chosen by Chinese EV battery company Gotion High Tech in June to establish Africa’s first gigafactory, which will cost $1.3 billion in total.