News: UNSC to convene over Ethiopia-Somalia tension despite opposition from Ethiopia

The UN Security Council meeting hall (Photo:UN)Addis Abeba – UN Security Council members will convene this afternoon for closed consultations to address the situation between Ethiopia and Somalia under the “Peace and Security in Africa” agenda item. According to a think tank, the Security Council Report, France, holding the Council’s presidency for January, organized the consultations upon Somalia’s request in a letter dated 23rd January, citing Article 35 of the UN Charter. Somalia expressed concerns over the recent MoU signed on 01 January 2024, between Ethiopia and Somaliland, granting Ethiopia a 20-kilometer naval base lease for 50 years in exchange for diplomatic recognition. AdvertisementSeveral Council members, including China, the UK, and the US, as well as the European Union, previously expressed concerns about escalating tensions and stressed the importance of dialogue, cooperation, and de-escalation. On Friday, Ethiopia’s ruling Prosperity Party (PP) decided to bring the MoU “to a practical agreement” while simultaneously giving attention to the principles of give and take to secure additional options to port access with other neighboring countries.” AS