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A6 WORLD NEWS
Wednesday 22 november 2023

South African leader accuses Israel of war crimes. Putin and Xi

strike more cautious note at meeting

By GERALD IMRAY by the United States.
Associated Press “All these events, in fact,
CAPE TOWN, South Africa are a direct consequence
(AP) — South African Presi- of the U.S. desire to monop-
dent Cyril Ramaphosa ac- olize mediation functions in
cused Israel of war crimes the Palestinian-Israeli settle-
and acts “tantamout to ment,” Putin said while ap-
genocide” in Gaza during pearing on teleconference
a virtual meeting Tuesday from the Kremlin. He called
of leaders of developing for a cease-fire in Gaza, the
countries, including Russia’s freeing of hostages and the
Vladimir Putin and China’s evacuation of civilians from
Xi Jinping. the Gaza Strip.
Ramaphosa also con- Putin’s comments were
demned Hamas for its at- in line with Russia’s care-
tack on Israeli civilians that ful approach to the Israel-
sparked the war in Gaza Hamas war, which may
and said both sides were present an opportunity for
guilty of violating interna- it to advance its role as a
tional law. global power broker. Pu-
“The collective punish- tin proposed last month
ment of Palestinian civilians that Moscow could medi-
through the unlawful use ate in the conflict due to
of force by Israel is a war In this image made from video supplied by South Africa’s Presidency, South African President its relationships with both
crime,” Ramaphosa said Cyril Ramaphosa adresses BRICS leaders for a virtual meeting of leaders of developing countries Israel and the Palestinians.
Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023.
at the start of the meeting Associated Press He said Tuesday that the
of leaders and top diplo- BRICS bloc could play “a
mats from the BRICS bloc these actions,” Ramapho- from fellow BRICS members Africa’s position as current key role” in finding a politi-
of countries. “The deliber- sa said. Brazil and India, and from chair of BRICS. cal settlement.
ate denial of medicine, Putin and Xi struck more Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Putin said there was a “hu- Putin has condemned the
fuel, food and water to the cautious notes, calling for a Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and manitarian catastrophe” Oct. 7 attack by Hamas
residents of Gaza is tanta- cease-fire and the release the United Arab Emirates, unfolding in Gaza and it militants on towns in south-
mount to genocide.” of civilian hostages but not which are set to join the was “shocking to watch ern Israel that led to Israel’s
“In its attacks on civilians launching the same level bloc in January. how surgeries are per- offensive in Gaza, now in its
and by taking hostages, of criticism of either side as Ramaphosa chaired the formed on children with- seventh week, while warn-
Hamas has also violated Ramaphosa. “extraordinary meeting” out anesthesia.” He again ing Israel over its response
international law and must Also joining the meeting and made the opening blamed the crisis on what and against blockading
be held accountable for were leaders and officials remarks because of South he called failed diplomacy the Gaza Strip.q

UN warns food aid for 1.4 million refugees in Chad could end over

limited funding

By CHINEDU ASADU Associ- in Chad,” said Pierre Hon- “Collectively we must find a agency is being forced ternally displaced people
ated Press norat, WFP’s country direc- way to support the women, to make “brutal choices” and refugees from Nigeria,
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — tor in Chad. Sudan plunged children and men who are to prioritize certain needs Central African Republic,
Food assistance to 1.4 mil- into conflict in April when bearing the full brunt of this and groups.“In Decem- and Cameroon due to in-
lion refugees in Chad who long-simmering tensions es- crisis. Cutting our assistance ber, WFP will be forced to sufficient funds,” Honnorat
fled the conflict in parts of calated between the coun- is simply not an option be- suspend assistance to in- said. q
the Sahel could end be- try’s military and the rival cause it will have untold
cause of limited funding, Rapid Support Forces, re- consequences for millions
the United Nations food sulting in the death of more of people, jeopardizing
agency warned Tuesday. than 5,000 people and dis- years of investment in fight-
Most of the refugees es- placement of at least 5.2 ing hunger and malnutrition
caped the war in Sudan million people amid reports in Chad,” Honnorat said.
and crossed into Chad in of mass killings, rapes, and The WFP said that malnu-
the last six months in num- widespread destruction, trition is a major concern,
bers not seen in the last according to the U.N. with nine in 10 new arrivals
20 years, the U.N.’s World Many of the displaced reporting “poor or border-
Food Program said in a found their way to neigh- line food consumption.”
statement. “This forgot- boring Chad, piling pres- Honnorat said the WFP ur-
ten crisis has metastasized sure on the already impov- gently needs $185 million
as the world’s eyes are on erished country as it be- to continue its support to
other emergencies. We comes host to one of the crisis-affected populations
cannot let the world stand largest and fastest-growing in Chad over the next six Sudanese refugees gather outside a field hospital in Acre,
and allow our life-saving refugee populations in Af- months. In the absence of Chad, Aug. 15, 2023.
operations grind to a halt rica, the WFP said. that funding, he said, the Associated Press