April 04, 2025
Ethiopia has officially commenced its three-year tenure as a newly elected member of the African Union Peace and Security Council (AU PSC) at a welcoming flag ceremony held at the AU headquarters on 1st April 2025.
Speaking at the welcoming flag ceremony, Ambassador Rebecca Amuge Otengo, Chairperson of the PSC for the Month of April, expressed her confidence in the capability and experience of the newly elected members of the PSC to advance peace and security of the continent. Similarly, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, welcomed the newly elected and re-elected members of the PSC and indicated that with the addition of the new members, the PSC will continue to be a formidable forum for conflict prevention and management in the continent.
The Ethiopian delegation, led by Ambassador Hirut Zemene Kassa, permanent representative of Ethiopia to the AU and UNECA took part in the welcoming flag ceremony.
After the welcoming flag ceremony, the Ethiopian delegation also participated in the Peace and Security Council’s 1271st meeting. The Council deliberated on the agenda item Commemoration of the International Mine Awareness Day and Addressing Explosives Weapons in Populated Areas (EWIPA). During the Council’s meeting, Ambassador Hirut expressed Ethiopia’s commitment to protecting civilians from threats of landmines and explosive remnants of war as a party to the 1997 Anti-Personal Mine Ban Convention (Ottawa Convention). She said that we are exerting our efforts to fulfill our obligations under this convention and our continental decisions. She also highlighted the ongoing projects in cooperation with partners. She emphasized that the Ethiopian Anti-Mine Office is working with the relevant partners to meet its target of clearing every inch of contaminated land from anti-personnel mines. In addition to clearing all mined areas, raising awareness and victim assistance are at the heart of Ethiopia’s response to address the risk of landmines, she said.
Ambassador Hirut stressed the importance of sustainable financial and technical assistance to affected Member States to strengthen their capacity to enable them to fully meet their obligations under international and regional legal frameworks. She said that despite the continental efforts, there is a long way to go to fully eliminate the threats posed by anti-personnel mines and explosive remnants of war. Hence, she recommended that strengthening cooperation among Member States at the continental and global level is imperative.
As a customary tradition, the African Union Political Affairs, Peace, and Security Department organizes an induction program for the newly elected Peace and Security Council members. This year’s induction program was held in Arusha, Tanzania, from March 25–28, 2025. An Ethiopian delegation led by Ambassador Hirut participated in the induction program of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union in Arusha, Tanzania.
During the program, Ambassador Hirut expressed her gratitude for the Union’s confidence in electing Ethiopia as the member of the Peace and Security Council (PSC). She underlined Ethiopia’s contribution and commitment to the collective security of Africa and the world at large, both in the diplomatic field and in peacekeeping operations.
Ambassador Hirut also requested the council to work steadfastly in initiating an early response to contain the crisis situations so as to prevent them from developing into full-blown conflicts. She also reiterated the need to invest more in sustaining peace by adopting conflict prevention mechanisms.
The Ambassador also highlighted the importance of working closely to effectively and efficiently finance the work of the Peace and Security Council of the Union considering the current situation. She said that it’s time for the Council to look into how best it could fit into the existing reality in the evolving global geopolitical situation to strengthen the relevance and vitality of the continent’s collective interests.
The Induction Program is an annual program that aims at equipping the newly elected PSC members with a fundamental understanding of the PSC’s mandate, role, work, priorities, working methods, and its relationship with the AU Commission. It is to be recalled that the 46th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council held on 12 February 2025 elected four new members of the PSC. Accordingly, Ethiopia and Eswatini were elected as new members of the PSC while Nigeria and Cameroon were re-elected for another term representing their respective regions.
Ethiopia has earned a reputation as a reliable mediator, contributing to diplomatic efforts in resolving regional conflicts amicably. Ever since the foundation of the continental organization, Ethiopia has been actively engaged in the peaceful resolution of conflicts in our continent and particularly in the Horn of Africa. During its PSC tenure, Ethiopia will leverage its extensive experience in conflict resolution, peacemaking, and peace building at subregional, continental, and global levels for the promotion of peace and stability across the continent. Along with other members, Ethiopia will work to enhance the capacity of the Council to address emerging and existing continental peace and security challenges.