2025: Put an end to wars – in Ukraine, in Palestine/Gaza, in Sudan

Put a stop to the killing, put a stop to a genocide, and put a stop to famine and destruction.

For peace on earth we call for ceasefires. For negotiations on modalities. Leading to peace, security and reconstruction.

The Planet is suffering from the extremes of climate change (roasting under extreme heat, freezing cold, intense hurricanes, floods and droughts, impending sea-level rise, etc.). Under such a planetary emergency there is no time, no justification, for anyone to resort to the old style of empire building, of going to war as a tool of political action.

We condemn war “AS A TOOL OF POLITICAL ACTION”.  Instead let us use negotiation and where necessary arbitration, instead of missiles, tanks and bombs, hostages as “arguments”. Today in January 2025, we have 3 WARS ongoing in the world. We need 3 NEGOTIATIONS meetings, leading to 3 AGREEMENTS for PEACE.

1. UKRAINE

To the president of the Russian federation, H.E. Vladimir Putin and to president of Ukraine, H.E. Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

A call for a ceasefire in Ukraine. Negotiation and a Referendum on self-determination to follow. Leading to peace, security and reconstruction.

The centuries old civilizations of both Russia and Ukraine, the joint faith both countries share, CAN NOW LEAD YOU to give a lesson/an example to be followed by the REST OF THE WORLD: STOP USING WEAPONS AND START SOLVING the CONFLICT BY NEGOCIATIONS, NOW!

We therefore invite you, Presidents VLADIMIR and VOLODYMYR to meet andjointly start NEGOTIATIONS  (with China/the European Union/UN/or others as facilitators). 

Based on the acceptance of the democratically elected Government in Ukraine, to conduct of a referendum on self-determination by the people in DONBAS, SOUTH UKRAINE and CRIMEA whether they wish tobe:

  • part of Ukraine
  • part of Russia
  • or become independent states (as per UN Charter for self determination of people and nations)

Threatening the use of nuclear warheads will affect the entire Planet negatively and for thousands of years. Any use of even a small number of these nuclear warheads could end the Planet’s ability to support biodiversity, including human life. In the name of us the 8 billion humans, we state that NO ONE has the right to take the risk of using nuclear arms, for whatever purpose.

Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers, Ukrainian civilians and young Russian soldiers have been killed and massacred uselessly, not to say criminally since the invasion AND THIS NUMBER WILL DOUBLE IF WAR PERSISTS. So we call for an immediate cease fire: stop firing, talk, both consider the requirement of the other side. Sign an agreement, a peace treaty. After a ceasefire, and a peace treaty, we can start the rebuilding of Ukraine, a destroyed country. We support the full resumption of production and export of cereals, grain and natural gas from Russia. Sanctions should end and free trade be re-established, as soon as possible. Your actions will be an example of how to end other wars.

Having appealed to the Russian and Ukrainian Presidents, we invite all Heads of state and leaders in every nation of the world to hear this crucial appeal for the future, namely: to condemn war “as a tool of political action” and instead to use negotiation, and where necessary arbitration, to solve disagreements.

2. SUDAN

To General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the leader of the Sudanese armed forces (SAF), and General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, head of the paramilitary rapid support forces (RSF). (These two generals worked together for carrying out the coup -d’État. Now their battle for supremacy is tearing Sudan apart).

THESE GENERALS in SUDAN, at present leading their faction in an internal war, are causing millions to die or risk dying of hunger. Destruction, killing, rape and famine of people has spread EVERYWHERE.

The World Food Programme has stated that, without immediate food aid, millions risk dying of hunger. The warring factions prevent entry of food aid or steal these if they come.

TO Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, GET TOGETHER IN EGYPT or Qatar (both willing to act as FACILITATOR) and negotiate an agreement for the governance of Sudan, MOST URGENT before most of Sudan is destroyed and millions die because of your fighting.

3. PALESTINE/GAZA

By 7th January 2025 the war has left a toll on Palestinians in GAZA as follows:

  • Killed: at least 45,885 people, including 17,492 children
  • Injured: more than 109,196 people
  • Missing: more than 11,160

The toll on Israelis number 1,139 and in the occupied West Bank 841. The Israeli attacks have resulted in more than 92% of Gaza’s homes damaged or destroyed, 80 percent of commercial facilities and 88 percent of school buildings destroyed. Healthcare facilities: 40 percent hospitals are partially functional. 68 percent of road networks and 68 percent of cropland have been destroyed.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrant for Israeli PM B. Netanyahu for ‘war crimes’ in Gaza, for former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and for Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif.

There are “reasonable grounds” to believe that Gallant and Netanyahu “intentionally and knowingly deprived the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, including food, water, and medicine and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity”, it said.

As well as the destruction by ISRAEL of almost ALL educational institution, hospitals, food supply chains, communication means, HOMES AND HABITATS, even any temporary refugee settlements (so people are obliged to more, at times with as little as 20 minutes notice, so building life supporting systems becomes impossible) etc. And the regular destruction, by the Israeli army, of vehicles, tents, houses, hospitals with people in them on the ground that these harbour terrorists. Leaving children, babies as well as adults male and female dead. Out of the over 40,000 dead so far, count several 2-year-old babies, children of 5-12, women from young babies to adults,all murdered as being TERRORISTS by Israel.

WHO ‘appalled’ by Israel attack on northern Gaza’s last functioning major hospital. Arms supplied to Israel by the USA, who under President Biden, share responsibility for this genocide.

Israel has been the largest cumulative recipient of aid from the U.S. The latest payment, this week, was for 8 billion US $ FROM USA TO ISRAEL.

As an independent observer, we call on all States to address the situation in Gaza and ACT NOW.  How? The USA, the EU, Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, India and China must act NOW to support and strengthen the present negotiations between Hamas and Israel. We call upon Prime Minister Netanyahu and the leader of Hamas to pursue the current talks until full agreement is reached. With the AIM of stopping the genocide, return all hostages, release prisoners, and implement a permanent ceasefire.

Israel, the Palestinian State, Lebanon, and their neighbours can then live in peace. The reconstruction of Gaza can begin.

Dr Michael ATCHIA

(Past Programme Director, United Nations)

mklatchia@intnet.mu