The Maldives has announced its intention to intervene in the ongoing case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), where South Africa has accused Israel of breaching the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. This announcement follows the ICJ’s recent interim ruling mandating Israel to take immediate preventive measures against the commission of genocide in the Gaza Strip.
The ICJ’s decisive interim ruling, issued last Friday, requires Israel to ensure that its military refrains from acts potentially constituting genocide and to facilitate the provision of essential services and humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. This interim ruling underscores the gravity of South Africa’s allegations and the urgency of addressing the humanitarian situation.
In a press briefing on Sunday, the Public Policy Secretary of the President’s Office, Abdulla Nazim, disclosed the cabinet’s decision to intervene in the South African-filed case. Attorney General Ahmed Usham is appointed as the agent representing the Maldives in this intervention. However, the government has not released further details of the application or confirmed if discussions have occurred with South Africa regarding this intervention.
The Maldives’ decision to intervene after the ICJ’s interim ruling signals a significant interest in the case’s outcome. The move could stem from a combination of legal, humanitarian, and diplomatic interests, particularly in light of the serious nature of the allegations against Israel.
This intervention by the Maldives, depending on its acceptance and the scope defined by the ICJ, might influence certain aspects of the final judgement. It mostly highlights the Maldives’ stance on the plight of the Palestinian people and reflects its commitment to upholding international law.
The diplomatic implications of this decision for the Maldives are profound, particularly concerning its relations with Palestine, South Africa, and other nations engaged with the case. This step could bring the Maldives closer to countries that share similar views on Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip.
