African Union welcomes ICJ order to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza

MOGADISHU, Somalia

The chair of the African Union Commission on Saturday welcomed the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordering Israel to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza.

In a statement, Moussa Faki Mahamat, the former prime minister of Chad, said the continental body welcomed “the urgent provisional measures ordered by the ICJ in the application brought by South Africa”.

He said the ruling upholds the respect of international law and the need for Israel to imperatively comply with its obligations under the Genocide Convention.

The AU is a continental union made up of 55 member states located on the continent.

South Africa took Israel to The Hague-based ICJ on Dec. 29 on charges of genocide against Palestinians, and the case was heard earlier this month.

On Friday, the world court found South Africa's claim that Israel is committing genocide plausible.

The court issued an interim order urging Israel to stop obstructing aid deliveries into Gaza and to improve the humanitarian situation.