14 members of Council. Including Sierra Leone 🇸🇱 voted in favor of the resolution.
Regrettably, 1 member, a permanent member, voted against the resolution effectively vetoeing it.
Sierra Leone’s Deputy Permanent Representative-Legal and Chargé d’Affaires, H.E Ambassador Michaela E.B Swallow delivered her Explanation of Vote After the Vote.
Sierra Leone stated it’s positive vote was “out of deep concern for the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. Our vote was also driven by the continuing plight of hostages held by Hamas since the horrific attacks of 7 October 2023. The prevailing conditions, marked by suffering, hunger, insecurity, and death, paint a grim picture of the daily realities faced by Palestinian civilians in Gaza. We unequivocally condemn the brutal attacks on civilians around aid distribution sites that have led to numerous deaths and injuries, and we join the United Nations and fellow Council members in calling for an urgent, independent and impartial investigation into these killings.”
Further, Sierra Leone expressed deep regret, that the draft resolution was not adopted, stating that “While the text may not have been comprehensive, which was an intentional expedient decision of the penholders, it represented the bare minimum required to address the worsening catastrophic humanitarian situation. We wish to emphasize that, as the occupying power, Israel is bound by international humanitarian law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention and Additional Protocol One, to ensure the Palestinian civilians access essential humanitarian assistance.”
Read Draft Resolution below.
