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South Africa has welcomed the adoption of the UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Rwanda's lower house of parliament has passed a bill that proposes stricter regulations to protect forests in the country.
In a vote on Monday, the council urged a ceasefire for the rest of the month of Ramadan - which ends in two weeks. The bill forbids the harvesting, use and trade of immature trees.
South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor in a statement said her country was "pleased" with the resolution but called for a "lasting sustainable ceasefire". It additionally requires Rwandans to obtain permits from authorities before cutting any trees, including privately planted ones.
"It is now the responsibility of the United Nations Security Council to ensure that there is compliance with the resolution, which is binding on the parties," Ms Pandor added. The bill also proposes harsher penalties for those who cut trees before they mature or without a licence, with fines of up to 3m Rwandan francs ($2,300; £1,800).
The resolution, which also called for the release of all hostages, followed several failed attempts at similar measures since the 7 October attacks. "This law aims to further preserve the environment and prevent the effects of climate change," the lower house of parliament said after passing the bill on Monday.
It is the first time the council has called for a ceasefire since the war began. Rwanda also aims at using the bill to sell carbon credits, pro-government New Times new website reported last year, citing Environment Minister Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya.
The US abstained in the vote, while the remaining 14 members voted in favour. But the proposed law is unpopular among many Rwandans, who view it as an inconvenience that will make it difficult to access wood for cooking, construction and other common uses.
Read more: Rwanda's tree conservation efforts have grown the country's forest cover from 10.7% in 2010 to 30.4% in 2022, according to the environment ministry.
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