BY ZEKARIAS WOLDEMARIAM
Ethiopia is among the countries that are founding members of the United Nations. It is also an active participant in the efforts made to realize the objectives of the organization. One of the major objectives of the UN is to maintain international peace and security as well as ensure smooth relations between countries. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is also an important organ of this international organization established to realize this goal. In this regard too, Ethiopia has done all it can in ensuring international peace and security through membership in the UNSC as well as sending peacekeeping troops, among others.
Now Ethiopia is contending a security problem within its territory. However, the UNSC is handling the issue in an unusual way that contravenes both the sovereignty of the nation as well as the Charter of the UN which states whether the Council can intervene in the matter or not. The Ethiopian Herald held a brief discussion with Nigus Belay (PhD), Dean of the College of Law and Governance at Hawassa University. Have a nice read!
The United Nations Security Council has gathered more than 12 times so far to discuss the security problem in northern Ethiopia. How do you think is the issue relevant?
It is known that the UNSC has convened more than 12 times so far since the outbreak of conflict in northern Ethiopia between TPLF and the central government. The main objective of the meeting is to intervene in the internal affairs of the country and take action. But all the meetings were vetoed by two of the permanent members of the Council, China and Russia. The basic question here is why does the west want to make it an agenda of the Council? Before discussing it we have to see the UNSC charter. How does it involve in the internal affairs of a country? Does it have a mandate/right to intervene in the domestic affairs of a country? What preconditions should be fulfilled for that?
According to Chapter VII Article 39-42 of the Charter, the UN as an international organization can intervene in the internal affairs of a country if the problem is a threat to international peace and security. It can only do so if the situation is
studied by a neutral body. Otherwise, there is no ground to intervene in the internal affairs of a nation. This is the main principle in the Charter of the UN. Hence why does it need to convene 12 times only on matters related to Ethiopia? Is the problem in northern Ethiopia a threat to international peace and security? It is not labeled so by a neutral body. It cannot spill over to a neighbouring country or other parts of the world. As a result, it was repeatedly rejected by Russia and China as a domestic political matter that can be solved by Ethiopia itself. They argued that the Charter does not allow them to intervene in the domestic affairs of the country which is against the provisions of the charter.
There are similar conflicts in parts of the world. Why do they focus on Ethiopia? This shows there is something behind it. The main concern of the west is not international peace and security. They are disgruntled by some development in Ethiopia. Since the incumbent assumed power they are afraid that they will have no puppet in East Africa.
The government led by PM Abiy has settled the 20 years long dispute between Ethiopia and Eritrea. The dispute was used as a bargaining chip to buy loyalty. But when the government made peace with Eritrea they awarded the PM a Nobel Peace Prize. That does not mean they are happy. But they want to use it to coerce the PM into becoming their puppet. They want a puppet government in East Africa. When EPRDF was ousted from power they
want the current regime to replace the role of the former. They thought the new government would surrender to them. But things did not go as per their expectation. On top of this Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia formed a coalition. These forces understood that their plan was foiled. So they were conducting an orchestrated campaign to topple the government, and bring back their puppet to power. That’s why they wanted to convene the UNSC about 12 times. But China and Russia are well aware of the conspiracy. So they used their veto power to oil it.
What do you think is the sustainable solution to avoid similar problems in the future?
A country has the full right to secure its internal and external interests. This needs a higher level of diplomacy. Diplomacy is a matter of guaranteeing mutual benefit. It is not meant for the benefit of one country alone. Not only the benefits but also the damages have to be shared. Therefore Ethiopia must work hard to publicize the truth about the issue in northern Ethiopia to the international community. There is a need to explain every detail of the issue.
As it is well known in diplomacy there is no permanent friend or permanent enemy. So our principle should be to reap the maximum benefit from both the west and east without compromising our national interest. We have to establish a relationship that can equally treat Africans, the west,
the east … etc. We should not label some countries as friends and others as enemies. They are all after the final winners. So we don’t have to wait and see until we become victorious. We have to work on diplomacy equally or simultaneously. Our diplomacy determines whether we have enemies or whether we fall to them.
We have to outperform our enemies in the field of diplomacy. We have to win the diplomacy by providing appropriate information. If you dominate the other side in the field of diplomacy both sides would be your friends. Finally, the truth shall prevail. The UN Charter has the truth. Permanent members of the Council like Russia and China also depend on the truth and express their stance accordingly.
As you explained diplomatic victory has a lot of benefits. Ethiopia has also been making due efforts in the field of diplomacy to address the security issue at home as well as the consequent misunderstandings created in the international community afterwards. How do you see Ethiopia’s diplomatic activities in this regard?
The government has to give due attention to the advice of experts in the field. For instance, Ethiopia is historically strong in its diplomacy. It is a founding member since the foundation of the League of Nations, AU … etc. It is a member and founder of various international organizations. IT sets examples for others. We have to do a lot of jobs here. The government alone cannot do the job.
Some scholars can do a lot of jobs in research, conference, international events … etc that can protect our national interest. The diaspora has done exemplary work during the last two years. The diaspora especially in Europe and America have to continue their jobs with appropriate support from the government. They are well aware of what to do to influence the western government. We also have to beef up public diplomacy. The international community is more sensitive to what they see physically than what they overhear. Therefore, we have to strengthen public diplomacy. We have to involve every citizen as Ambassador.
For example, we can make our citizens use their mobile phones to share important information about their country through the internet, and social media. At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) there is a public diplomacy directorate headed by Hon Dina Mufti. A public diplomacy centre has also been opened at our University (Hawassa). But similar centres must be opened in all other universities too.
This will bring together Universities, and research institutions, to stand together for the country. By now many people are struggling for the country not because the government designed the message for them, but on their own initiative. We have to correct this and establish a central hub. This will interconnect the citizen with the government so that the people engaged in public diplomacy would have continuous updates and supply of agenda on current matters.
In addition to the cooperation of some friendly members of the Security Council, what can we do to avoid a future possible attempt of intervening in our domestic affairs? What do you think would be the benefit of correcting the composition of the Security Council?
The composition of the Security Council is facing objections from some countries. This is because the countries do not want to change it. India, Latin America and Africa also want the SC permanent seat. The current permanent members do not want to see more members in SC because they want to be the sole makers and breakers. They want to secure their national interest.
This is posing some questions. Africa, India, and Latin America all are making requests for permanent seats. They are troubled to handle the quest from these parts of the world. They are forwarding various excuses not to respond to these quests. It may take time but they cannot shun the quest. Ethiopia has to push in this regard so that the voice of Africa can be heard. We have to do India, Latin America, and Japan to join.
Currently, the five permanent members of the Council have the right to set the agenda. The rest of the countries are only receivers and performers of the agenda set by these countries. This is another form of colonization. The non-permanent members cannot deal with their sovereign issues. Therefore, Africa, the Middle East, India, Japan, Latin America and Australia have to do their best to make the UNSC composed fairly.
Ethiopia also has a historical responsibility to pursue the quest of African people or run an African Agenda. In pursuing this quest it has to involve Latin America, India …etc alongside. This is the international right of self-determination to which all countries are entitled. Raising the agenda together will give us momentum in our efforts to make the UN an international organization. We have to raise it as a continuous agenda at continental meetings like that of the African Union (AU).
Thank you very much for your time!
You are most welcome!
The Ethiopian Herald September 17/2022
