Ethiopia has won a seat on the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) for a three-year term. This boosts its role in regional security and diplomacy.
The election took place at the 46th Executive Council meeting of the African Union (AU). The event was held at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa. Ethiopia received 38 votes, defeating Rwanda and Somalia, which got one and ten votes, respectively. This win strengthens Ethiopia’s ability to influence security policies in Africa.
A Competitive Election
The election was held because the terms of five AUPSC members will end on March 31. Ethiopia, Cameroon (Central Africa), Eswatini (Southern Africa), and Nigeria (West Africa) won seats. The North African seat remains unfilled since candidates failed to get enough votes.
The Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs celebrated the win. It posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Ethiopia has been elected as a member of the AUPSC during the election at the 46th Executive Council of the African Union. The election recognizes Ethiopia’s role in peace, security, and development across Africa.”
Ethiopia’s History in the AUPSC
This is Ethiopia’s fifth term on the AUPSC. The council promotes peace and stability in Africa. Ethiopia has played a key role in peacekeeping missions, mediation efforts, and anti-terrorism operations. Its re-election shows its continued commitment to tackling conflicts in Africa.
Ethiopia has been active in regional security. It has sent peacekeeping troops to Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan. It has also worked on diplomatic efforts to resolve conflicts in the Horn of Africa.
Somalia’s Role in the Process
Somalia played a role in the AU’s selection of key positions. A ministerial meeting was held in Addis Ababa. It was chaired by Somalia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ali Mohamed Omar (Balcad). The meeting aimed to ensure fair competition for AU and other international roles.
Minister Ali Balcad said: “We have debated key positions, like the President of the African Development Bank and the Director-General of UNESCO. Our goal is to ensure these roles are filled with fairness and transparency.”
He was joined by other Somali officials, including Permanent Secretary Hamza Adan and Ambassador Abdullahi Warfaa. This shows Somalia’s interest in AU affairs and its role in shaping African policies.
Ethiopia’s Role in AU Peacekeeping
Ethiopia’s win comes at a time when the region faces many security problems. These include conflicts in Sudan, instability in Somalia, and threats from extremist groups. As a key AU partner, Ethiopia will help shape policies for peace in Africa.
Somali officials confirmed that issues blocking Ethiopia’s full participation in the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) have been solved. Ethiopia’s final troop contributions to the mission will be announced soon. This could improve cooperation between Ethiopia and Somalia on security matters.
What’s Next?
With a seat on the AUPSC, Ethiopia can help shape Africa’s security policies. The country is expected to push for more cooperation between AU members. It will work on conflict resolution and stability in the Horn of Africa and beyond.
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