By Abiola Olawale
Eminent diplomat, former Chief of Staff to the immediate past president, Muhammadu Buhari, and a former United Nations (UN) Under-Secretary-General (political), Professor Ibrahim Gambari has highlighted the urgent need for action to protect the sovereignty of numerous colonized territories.
Gambari, who had also previously served in various capacities including as Nigeria’s Ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations from 1990 to 1999 called for an immediate concerted efforts to address the issue of colonisation on an international scale.
The eminent diplomat cum consensus builder made this call while speaking at the International Conference to End Colonialism, organized by the Society for International Relations Awareness (SIRA).
While delivering a paper on the theme, “The Forgotten Peoples: International Conference to Decolonize the World,” Gambari, highlighted that American Samoa, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, and Western Sahara are still under colonized territories.
He also said that at least 61 territories in the Caribbean are still struggling for freedom.
He said: “There are still colonies across the globe, particularly in the Caribbean, with at least 61 territories, 17 of which are recognized by the United Nations.”
Gambari also warned that the colonized peoples’ patience has long been exhausted, and they are eagerly awaiting freedom.
He added: “In 2020, the UN General Assembly, through Resolution 75/123, proclaimed 2021 to 2030 as the Fourth International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism. We are gathered here to breathe life into this resolution, seeking pathways to actualization rather than pushing it into yet another decade.”
On the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, Gambari suggested that the tragedy could have been avoided if more countries had followed Nigeria’s lead in recognizing Palestine as an independent state.
“In 1984, as Foreign Minister, Nigeria recognized Palestine and granted it ambassadorial status. Perhaps, had the world followed this direction, the calamity in Gaza might have been averted,” he added.
