Egypt seeks Ethiopia’s backing over UNSC seat
By Tesfa-Alem Tekle
October 2, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – Egypt has asked Ethiopia’s support for its bid to secure a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
In a news conference he gave Friday, spokesperson for Ethiopian foreign ministry, Tewelde Mulgeta said the Egyptian president’s special envoy, Ambassador Osama Sheltot, had paid a visit to Ethiopia during the weekend.
Accordingly, the Egyptian special envoy met Ethiopian vice-foreign minister, Birhane Gebrekirstos, in Addis Ababa where he delivered a message sent from President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi of Egypt to Ethiopian Prime Minister.
In its message, al-Sisi has requested Ethiopia (seat of the African Union) to support the North African nation in its candidacy to win a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council seat for 2016-17 in elections due in October 2015.
According to Mulgeta, Ethiopia has responded with greater support to Egypt’s efforts to secure a seat at UNSC out of its responsibility to represent the African continent.
“We want Egypt to play an important role in the region, continent and in global issues” Mulgeta told reporters citing to remarks made by the Ethiopian foreign minster.
“We have full trust in Egypt which is a great and responsible nation,” said Gebrekirstos.
Ambassador Osama Sheltot of Egypt to his side reaffirmed Cairo’s keenness to closely work with Ethiopia in a range of regional continental and global concerns.
Egypt’s call for Ethiopia’s support is part of the country’s intense diplomatic campaign seeking to garner international support to acquire the seat at UNSC.
Egypt, which prides itself as a nation playing a critical role in international peace and security keeping efforts, had been nominating itself as the best competent to assume the seat on behalf of the continent.
Egypt says it is committed to exert maximum efforts under the UN umbrella in its efforts to achieve peace in conflict zones in Africa and on issues pertaining to the Middle East.
(ST)