Veteran diplomat Ambassador Tiruneh Zena has asserted that Ethiopia deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) due to its significant contributions to global peace.
Highlighting Ethiopia's peacekeeping efforts in Congo, Korea, Liberia, Rwanda, and Somalia, Ambassador Tiruneh emphasized the country's long history of promoting peace and stability.
He further noted that Ethiopia has been a beacon of freedom for Africans under colonial rule, playing a pivotal role in the struggle for liberation and the formation of the Organization of African Unity.
Ambassador Tiruneh argued that the current UNSC structure, established in the 1940s, no longer reflects the global landscape. He recalled discussions in 2004 to include Africa in the council, and highlighted Ethiopia's ongoing efforts to reform the body, which currently lacks representation from Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
He lamented the lack of unity among African nations on this issue, which has hampered progress. He further stressed the need for a more representative council, proposing that Ethiopia should advocate for a system where all countries have the opportunity to participate in decision-making.He also acknowledged the debate surrounding Egypt's potential representation of both the Arab world and Africa.
Ambassador Zena concluded by urging Ethiopia to strengthen its arguments and garner support from African nations to secure a permanent seat on the UNSC, ensuring a more equitable and representative global governance structure.