Experts laud Ethiopia’s enduring role in amplifying African voices

ADDIS ABABA–Underscoring Ethiopia’s consistent calls for the UN Security Council reform,Experts highlighted the country’s significant efforts to amplify Africa’s voice on the global stage.

United Nations Security Council (UNSC), the global actor in charge of ensuring international peace and security, has been criticized for lack of necessary representation. Since itsestablishment in 1945, the UNSC has faced criticism for its lack of credibility, especially due to the absence of representation ofAfrica,a continent having over 1.5 billion population, ignoringmany voices in international affair.

It is to be recalled that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) said that Africa’s voice on world stage needs to be heard loud and clear, and Africans should continue advocating for the collective interest of the continent in the rapidly changing world. The Premier also reiterated Ethiopia’s firm belief and commitment to advocate in the need to reform the UNSC.

Being home to the African Union (AU) headquarters and other continental and global organizations,Ethiopia is committed to promoting Africa’s voice to be heard globally, Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA) Researcher, Darskedar Taye (PhD), Said  For many years, Ethiopia has been advocating continental voices among which the representation of Africa in the UNSC – the global security organ that dominated by five permanent members.

Since the establishment of the Council, Africa remained unrepresented in the largest UN body in charge of ensuring international peace and security. The continent with over 1.5 billion population, Africa is still missing from the security bloc indicating the lack of fairness and efficacy of the global governing system. Because of this, the Researcher stressed that the continent’s internal political and security matters are still discussed and decided by external bodies.

He further stated that Ethiopia is championing the continent’s interests as its own aimed at ensuring common benefit and the process is yielding positive results. The call for reforming UNSC is a global concern and Ethiopia also joined the move as reforming the organ is all about ensuring global fairness, he said.

IFA Researcher Tesfaye Boyosa expressed that a report from the UNSC indicated that about 70 percent of the security issues discussed in the Council are related to African security matters without the presence of Africa. However, deciding on African issues in the absence of African nations causes huge problems and impacts Africa’s future, he stated.

Recalling the call of Prime Minister Abiy,Tesfaye stressed the importance of including at least two African countries as permanent members of the UNSC.

The Council had announced plans to include two African nations as permanent members, albeit without veto power this marks a significant yet partial acknowledgment of Africa’s aspirations.

BY HAILE DEMEKE

THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 30 JANUARY 2025

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