The Elders, the iconic group of world leaders convened under Nelson Mandela in 2007, recently spoke out to express deep concern about the growing global crises. Their statement highlights the unprecedented humanitarian crisis facing our planet, characterized by ongoing armed conflict, massive human rights violations, and a glaring failure to preserve our environment.
The signatories to the statement, including Dr. Denis Mukwege, human rights activist Mary Robinson, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and former Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo, begin by strongly denouncing the acts of destruction perpetrated by some nations. They condemn, in particular, Israeli attacks on Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon in response to Hamas terrorist activities, as well as Russia’s continued aggression toward Ukraine.
This statement by the Elders points to the growing fragility of the international order established after the Second World War, and even its crumbling. They stress that negligence, complacency and sabotage are weakening the foundations of the international system, fueling a climate of mistrust between states and encouraging the resurgence of conflicts.
Through their words, the Elders call for a collective awareness of the multiple causes of this current chaos. They denounce the widespread violations of international law, the lack of respect for international agreements and the inaction of the bodies responsible for preventing and resolving conflicts.
Finally, the Elders highlight the gap between universal aspirations for peace and the actions of certain states that favor military solutions over diplomatic solutions. They point to the inability of the major powers, including the permanent members of the UN Security Council, to fully assume their responsibilities, which creates a vacuum conducive to geopolitical rivalries and conflicts.
In conclusion, the Elders’ statement calls for deep reflection on the current challenges facing our world and underlines the urgency of strengthened international cooperation to prevent new crises and ensure world peace.