Humanity First In The 21st Century

By Omar Muhammad F.

In this twenty-first century, where development has become a worldwide endeavour, “Humanity First” should be at the forefront of our minds.

Humanity comes foremost in everything we do. This is the organization’s motto and core values. We, on the other hand, advocate for a peaceful resolution and a diplomatic approach. A breakthrough agreement made in the 1990s in Oslo, Norway, between Israeli and Palestinian officials outlined a plan for a mutually negotiated two-state solution to be gradually implemented by the end of the decade. Despite initial promise and progress, a mix of dissatisfaction and distrust led to the process’s collapse and delay.

After frustration and provocation led to the outbreak of violence in 2000, the process proved difficult to restart before coming to a virtual halt after 2008.

On the other side, by the time the Trump administration announced its peace plan, dubbed the “Deal of the Century,” the Palestinians had determined that the US could no longer serve as an impartial mediator in the dispute.

The first portion of the plan, which envisioned major expansion in the Palestinian territories’ economy and infrastructure, was announced in June 2019. The plan’s second component, the political component, was released in January 2020 and envisioned predetermined solutions to final status issues: Israel would keep nearly all of its West Bank settlements, impose sovereignty over the Jordan Valley located along the West Bank’s eastern border, and retain an undivided Jerusalem as its capital, while Palestinians would receive demilitarised zones.

The plan, which was received favorably by Israeli leaders but condemned by Palestinian leaders, did little to revitalize negotiations before the end of Trump’s presidency. In 2021 the administration of U.S. Pres. Joe Biden began restoring aid to the Palestinians and promised to reopen the PLO office in Washington, D.C.

Looking at a way forward, the two-state solution has long been proposed as the best hope for peace in the Israel-Palestine conflict.  It would see an independent Palestinian state established alongside the existing one of Israel – giving both people their territory. It is the official position of the UK, US, United Nations – and even Israel itself – but many now say there is little hope of achieving it because the Palestinians don’t feel the judgment is just.

The world needs to work on this solution and bring in the Palestinian’s opinion once and for all to bring an end to this horror. We hope the world will act strongly toward bringing this conflict to an end. We hope all the parties especially the Israeli government will respect international law and bring an end to this war.  The killing of innocent souls in the Gaza region is becoming unbearable. The leadership in the world should please rise up and adopt strategies that will bring about peace in the world.

We see conflict all over the world, like in the case of the kidnapped pilot by the Papua Movement in Indonesia. The Kidnapping of the Susi Air Pilot in Papua is not uncalled for in this century where the aviation world has taken a new dimension especially from the advancement in Indonesia.

Indonesia recently flew its first commercial flight using palm oil-blended jet fuel, as the world’s biggest producer of the commodity pushes for wider use of biofuels to cut fuel imports.

Operated by flag carrier Garuda Indonesia, the Boeing 737-800NG aircraft carried more than 100 passengers from the capital Jakarta to Surakarta city about 550 kilometres (342 miles) away, Garuda Indonesia CEO Irfan Setiaputra said.

What is expected is an environment where people around the world will be able to live freely without any fear, doing their duty without the fear of kidnap like the case of the Susi Air Pilot.  For several weeks now we learned of the kidnapping of Captain Philip Mark Mehrtens by the members of the KKB led by Egianus Kogoya in Papua Province, Indonesia.

The captain has stayed for about nine months now since he was abducted in February of 2023. Since the kidnapping, there have been a series of negotiations to secure the release of the Pilot. Papua Regional Police Chief Inspector General of Police Mathius Fakhiri said “Negotiation Process to free the Susi Air Pilot is on-going.”

I would like to condemn with strong terms any inhuman behavior around the globe, be it a war or kidnapping of any kind. Again, a subtle reminder that we are first humans before anything in this world. Whatever choices or decisions we take should always have a human face, that way we will have a society where peace and justice will reign. Humanity should be first above all.

I urge the armed separatist group particularly its leader Kogoyo to respect the rule of law and release the Pilot healthy and unharmed out of respect for humanity and international law, for his right to dignity inherent in a person. Our world accepts civil and diplomatic manner of solving any form of conflict. There are always other diplomatic ways of attaining freedom without infringing on the rights of individuals or even society at large.

• Omar Muhammad writes from Abuja