Uganda, in its capacity as Chair of the Non-Aligned Movement, has delivered a strong statement at the United Nations Security Council, calling for an immediate end to hostilities in Gaza and urgent international action to address what it described as a “historic and grave injustice” against the Palestinian people.
Speaking on behalf of the 121-member bloc, Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Adonia Ayebare, painted a dire picture of the humanitarian and security situation in the Middle East, particularly in Gaza and the wider Occupied Palestinian Territory.
Addressing the Council during its quarterly open debate, Ayebare said the civilian population in Gaza continues to endure “an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe inflicted by Israel, the occupying Power.”
“NAM reaffirms its longstanding, common and principled position on the question of Palestine and is deeply concerned about the implications of this historical injustice against the people of Palestine,” Ayebare stated.
The statement comes against the backdrop of a prolonged and devastating conflict in Gaza, where tens of thousands of civilians have been killed or injured amid ongoing Israeli military operations.
According to the NAM statement, more than 244,600 Palestinians,many of them women and children, have been affected by the violence, alongside medical workers, journalists, and humanitarian personnel.
Ayebare told the Council that conditions have deteriorated not only in Gaza but across the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, citing increased military raids, settlement expansion, forced displacement, and attacks on civilians.
“The killing and injury of more than 244,600 Palestinian civilians… is an indictment to the mandate of the UN Security Council,” he said, urging the body to act decisively.
NAM also condemned what it described as “collective punishment” and illegal practices under international law, including a controversial policy approving the death penalty against Palestinians, calling for its immediate reversal.
The Movement demanded a complete cessation of hostilities and the full implementation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 2334 (2016) and more recent measures adopted between 2023 and 2025.
Ayebare emphasized that the Security Council bears the primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security and must enforce its own resolutions.
“The Security Council must uphold its mandate… and act forthwith for the full implementation of all its resolutions pertaining to the question of Palestine,” he said.
NAM also called for unimpeded humanitarian access into Gaza, particularly through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, stressing the urgent need for food, water, medicine, and shelter.
The statement highlighted ongoing diplomatic efforts led by countries such as Egypt and Qatar, which have been central in brokering ceasefire negotiations, including the October 2025 agreement aimed at ending hostilities in Gaza.
NAM also welcomed the outcomes of the Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit and reaffirmed support for a two-state solution based on international law, with East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state.
Beyond Gaza, the Movement raised alarm over escalating tensions in Lebanon and Syria. It welcomed a temporary cessation of hostilities in Lebanon but condemned continued Israeli military actions, calling for full compliance with UN resolutions and respect for Lebanon’s sovereignty.
Similarly, NAM criticized Israeli incursions into Syrian territory, describing them as violations of international law and the UN Charter.
Uganda currently chairs the Non-Aligned Movement, a bloc representing a majority of the Global South and historically advocating for sovereignty, non-interference, and multilateralism. Under Kampala’s leadership, NAM has taken an increasingly vocal stance on global conflicts, particularly the Palestine question.
Ayebare reaffirmed NAM’s support for Palestinian self-determination and called for the admission of Palestine as a full member of the United Nations.
“NAM Member States reaffirm their commitment to promoting a just, lasting, comprehensive and peaceful solution… including the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, freedom and independence,” he said.
Ayebare urged the international community to uphold international law and take “tangible actions” to end what he described as a prolonged injustice.
His statement shows growing pressure from developing nations on the Security Council to move beyond statements and enforce accountability, as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and instability across the Middle East continue to deepen.