Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor A. Bah, took the stage at the Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Conference of Information Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul, Turkey, on Saturday, February 24, 2024, to urge for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Palestine amidst escalating tensions.
The focus of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Conference of Information Ministers was to address the alarming rise in attacks and hostilities targeting journalists and media personnel, alongside combating the proliferation of disinformation amid the ongoing Israeli military operations in Palestine.
Honorable Bah reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s unwavering commitment to press freedom and the fundamental right to access information, firmly stating that any assault on journalism cannot be tolerated. He vehemently condemned the discourse advocating for the forced displacement of Palestinians and denounced all forms of violence against journalists and media professionals.
Furthermore, Bah reiterated Sierra Leone’s enduring advocacy for a “two-state solution,” emphasizing its pivotal role in fostering lasting peace between Israel and Palestine.
“In closing, Sierra Leone hereby calls for concerted efforts to explore diplomatic and political avenues aimed at achieving a peaceful, just, and enduring resolution to this conflict,” he emphasized.
Accompanying the Minister was Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Turkey, His Excellency Mohamed Hassan Kaisamba, who had previously participated in the Senior Officials Meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, further underlining Sierra Leone’s active engagement in diplomatic initiatives concerning the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
