Ghana urges condemnation of strike on UN peacekeepers

Ghana has urged the Commonwealth to condemn a missile strike that injured four of its United Nations peacekeepers serving in southern Lebanon on March 7th, as reported by BBC News Africa and agencies on March 9th.

Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa raised the issue at a Commonwealth meeting on March 9th. He said the strike violated principles protected by the United Nations Charter and called on member states to condemn the attack.

According to reports, Ghanaian soldiers were serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) when their base was hit shortly before 6 pm local time.

Ghana’s army said three soldiers sustained minor injuries, while a fourth, who was seriously wounded, underwent surgery and is responding to treatment.

Ghana is among the countries that regularly contribute troops to the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon. More than 600 Ghanaian soldiers are currently deployed with the multinational UNIFIL force in the country’s south.

Ghana’s foreign ministry has also lodged a formal protest with UN Secretary-General António Guterres over the attack. Guterres said those responsible must be held accountable.

Videos circulating on social media showed significant damage and fires at facilities used by Ghana’s peacekeeping battalion.

UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon have previously been affected by fighting in the area. In January, Israeli tank fire was reported near positions used by the international force.

The incident comes amid continuing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah despite diplomatic efforts to limit escalation. Political uncertainty has also affected Lebanon, with authorities recently postponing municipal elections due to the security situation.

The strike occurred during fighting between Israel and Hezbollah along the Lebanon-Israel border. Hezbollah said it launched rockets and drones at the Israeli city of Haifa, while Israel carried out strikes on targets linked to the group in Lebanon.

The hostilities form part of a wider regional escalation that has seen cross-border attacks between Israel and Hezbollah in recent weeks.

BBC News Africa and agencies, Maghrebi.org