In a landmark move at the United Nations, Sierra Leone joined 124 member states in voting against the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.

The resolution, described as “historic” by Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour, calls for Israel to end its occupation within the next 12 months.

The resolution passed with 124 votes in favor, 14 against, and 43 abstentions. Notably, three of the four Mano River Union countries supported the resolution, with Liberia choosing to abstain and Malawi casting a dissenting vote.

This vote highlights Sierra Leone’s continued engagement in global diplomacy, a role it has actively pursued since assuming the presidency of the UN Security Council last August. During its presidency, Sierra Leone addressed several critical international issues, including the Israel-Palestinian conflict, the crisis in Sudan, and the Russia-Ukraine war.

Sierra Leone’s stance reflects its commitment to international human rights and its support for resolving long-standing conflicts through diplomatic means.

The resolution’s passage represents a significant step towards addressing the contentious issue of Israeli occupation and underscores the global community’s ongoing efforts to seek a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.