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African Union, Somalia welcome Gaza truce with calls for sustaining cease-fire

The African Union and Somalia welcomed the Hamas-Israel ceasefire, praising mediation by Qatar, Egypt, and the US. They called for swift humanitarian aid to Gaza and emphasized a two-state solution for Palestine's sovereignty.

Anadolu Agency MIDDLE EAST
Published January 16,2025
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The African Union and Somalia on Thursday welcomed a cease-fire agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas group.

In a statement on X, African Union Commission chief Moussa Faki Mahamat said: "I wish to commend the crucial role played by Qatar, Egypt & the USA."

He said the continental body calls for the immediate and full implementation of the agreement and wishes that justice and peace prevail for the people of Palestine.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud also commended the efforts of Qatar, Egypt, and the US in brokering the agreement.

Mohamud emphasized the importance of sustaining the cease-fire and urged the international community to expedite the delivery of urgent humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.

"With this agreement, I stress the need for collective efforts to stabilize the ceasefire and prioritize the swift provision of humanitarian assistance to alleviate the suffering in Gaza," he said in a statement issued by the presidency on Thursday.

The Horn of Africa nation reaffirmed its commitment to supporting peace and reiterated the country's stance on the Palestinian cause, advocating for a just and comprehensive solution.

Mahmoud underscored the necessity of establishing an independent and sovereign Palestinian state based on the two-state solution.

On Wednesday, Qatari Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman announced the success of mediators in reaching a cease-fire agreement in the Gaza Strip, noting that its implementation will begin this Sunday.

The announcement comes on the 467th day of Israel's genocide in Gaza, which has killed and injured over 156,000 Palestinians, the majority of whom are women and children.

The war has left more than 11,000 people missing, with widespread destruction and a humanitarian crisis that has claimed the lives of many elderly people and children in one of the worst global humanitarian disasters ever.