Ghana Refrains from Voting as UN Security Council Rejects Russian Gaza Proposal

In a pivotal session at the United Nations Security Council on Monday night, Ghana made a significant diplomatic decision by abstaining from voting on a resolution proposed by Russia addressing the conflict in Gaza.

This resolution, presented by Russia, aimed to secure a humanitarian ceasefire, the release of hostages, aid access, and the safe evacuation of civilians in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip.

Out of the 15 members of the Security Council, the Russian-led draft received five votes in favor (from China, Gabon, Mozambique, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates) and four against (from France, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States).

Notably, Ghana was the sole African nation to abstain from the vote, while Gabon and Mozambique voted in favor. Other countries that chose to abstain included Albania, Brazil, Ecuador, Malta, and Switzerland.

To pass a resolution at the Security Council, it requires a minimum of nine affirmative votes, with none of the five permanent members exercising their veto power.

Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia expressed regret over the resolution’s failure and attributed it to what he termed the “selfish intentions of the Western bloc.” He emphasized the pressing need to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and urged for unified action.

US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield criticized the resolution for its failure to address the actions of Hamas and not condemning the group’s terrorist activities. She stressed the importance of holding Hamas accountable for civilian casualties and the dire situation in Gaza.

Riyad Mansour, the Permanent Observer of the Observer State of Palestine to the UN, implored the Security Council to strictly adhere to international law and emphasized the gravity of the situation for Palestinians.

Israeli Ambassador Gilad Erdan characterized the moment as pivotal for the Security Council and called for the designation of Hamas as a terrorist organization. He also advocated for full support of Israel’s right to self-defense and the immediate release of all hostages.