The United World Congress of Diplomats (UN-WCD) has called on world leaders engaged in armed conflicts to cease hostilities and embrace diplomacy and dialogue as the pathway to lasting global peace.
The non-profit organisation, which has United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) status and diplomatic missions in 134 countries, also urged terrorists, bandits, herdsmen, gunmen, kidnappers and other perpetrators of violence in Nigeria and across the world to lay down their arms and allow peace, harmony and tranquillity to prevail.
In a statement signed by Kelechi Esogwa-Amadi, Media Assistant to the Head, Policy and Diplomatic Relations and Director, South-South/South-East Region, Dr. Larry-Goodwill Ajiola, and made available to journalists yesterday, in Port Harcourt, the organisation said lasting peace could only be achieved through diplomacy and dialogue anchored on justice, equity and fairness.
The group warned that war, rather than promoting peace, friendship and trust, deepens crises, hatred, xenophobia, rancour, suspicion and distrust, while straining international relations and undermining trade, investment, economic growth and development.
Citing Sustainable Development Goal 16, which promotes peace, justice and strong institutions, UN-WCD expressed concern over what it described as the preference of some world leaders for war over diplomacy.
“It is therefore unfortunate that rather than follow this path charted by the United Nations for global peace, harmony and socio-economic sustainability, some world leaders have decided to tread the path of war,” the statement said.
The organisation lamented the loss of thousands of lives in conflicts, noting that civilians and combatants, including women, children, babies and the elderly, had continued to bear the consequences of hostilities.
It specifically called for an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, US-Iran hostilities, Israel-Palestine tensions and tensions on the Korean Peninsula, urging a return to round-table diplomacy.
Quoting former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, the group said: “Peace and reconciliation are made with enemies and not with friends.”
UN-WCD expressed readiness to provide mediation support when called upon, saying its 25-member Nigerian delegation would soon engage United States lawmakers as part of its #EndWarNow global peace campaign.
Blessing Ibunge
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