ADDIS ABABA, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat has reaffirmed Africa's solidarity with the Palestinian people.
The AU Commission chairperson made the remarks in a statement issued late Wednesday on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
Faki said the annual observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people is a day to reaffirm continued and unwavering commitment as an international community and support to the just cause of freedom and statehood for Palestine.
"The cause of the Palestinian people has never been more urgent. The outbreak of the continued hostilities in Gaza and the occupied territories, is in clear violation of international law and international humanitarian law. It has unspeakable consequences for the lives of Palestinian civilians in particular, and for peace in the region, in general," Faki said.
He reiterated the AU's call on the international community to assume its responsibilities concerning the question of Palestine and the implementation of all AU and UN resolutions adopted from 1948 to date aimed at reaching a peaceful solution respecting the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people.
"We reiterate that African support to the Palestinian cause is premised on the values of freedom, justice and humanitarian principles that Africa defends in the international fora alongside all those striving to ensure that Palestine regains its right to exist as a key viable state in the Middle East," he said.
The chairperson said the current situation calls for urgent and concrete action by the international community towards ending the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land.
"We, at the African Union Commission, will work tirelessly with other international actors to ensure the establishment of an independent Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital," he said.
Noting that the AU has consistently expressed deep concerns at the consequences of unilateral policies and actions, including the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, Faki said the situation "is contributing to a devastating humanitarian situation, which mounts to war crimes and a crime against humanity."
The AU Commission chairperson underscored the need to put in place a permanent humanitarian ceasefire to the conflict. ■