The Maldives has decided to intervene in the case filed by South Africa at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Israel's military action in Gaza.
South Africa filed the case last December, claiming Israel's actions in Gaza violates the 1948 Genocide Convention. The government of the Maldives made the decision to intervene in the case after extensive discussions at a Cabinet meeting. The President's Office stated that Attorney General Ahmed Usham has been appointed as the agent of the Maldivian government in the case.
The Maldives has welcomed the recent ruling of the ICJ calling on Israel to take all measures to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza. President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu said the Maldives welcomes the order of preliminary measures by ICJ calling on Israel to prevent and punish direct incitement of genocide in the Gaza Strip. He also said the Maldives believes that Israel needs to stop the killing in Gaza and implement an immediate ceasefire.
Additionally, President Muizzu said that every human life has value, which needs to be protected, and that bombings, displacement and apartheid will not bring peace. He also said true and lasting peace can only be attained by establishing an independent Palestinian State based on pre-1967 borders.
The ICJ has ordered Israel to take immediate action to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza, in its decision in the case filed by South Africa. While the UN's top court did not make a ruling on whether genocide has occurred, it called for six provisional measures, including preventing genocidal acts by troops, stopping incitement to commit genocide, allowing more humanitarian aid into Gaza, and preserving evidence related to allegations under the Genocide Convention. The court also urged Israel to report on its implementation of these measures within one month.
The ICJ also emphasized the need to protect Palestinians, considered a protected group under the Genocide Convention. Israel's military action has killed more than 26,000 Palestinians since the conflict began on October 7, 2023.