Ethiopia secures African Union Security Council seat

Thursday February 13, 2025

Delegates gather at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa for the 46th Executive Council meeting, where Ethiopia secured a seat on the AU Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) for a three-year term. 

Mogadishu (HOL) — Ethiopia has been elected to the African Union's Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) for a three-year term, strengthening its influence in regional security affairs. The country secured 38 votes in the 46th Executive Council meeting in Addis Ababa, surpassing Rwanda and Somalia, which received one and ten votes, respectively.

Ethiopia's election comes as the mandates of five current AUPSC members expire on March 31, leading to a competitive contest for the rotating seats. Alongside Ethiopia, Cameroon (Central Africa), Eswatini (Southern Africa), and Nigeria (West Africa) were also elected. The North African seat remains unfilled after candidates failed to secure a two-thirds majority vote.

The Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs celebrated the country's AUPSC election, stating in a post on X (formerly Twitter): "Ethiopia has been elected as a member of the AUPSC during the election held at the 46th Executive Council of the African Union, which commenced today in Addis Ababa. The election recognizes Ethiopia's contributions to peace, security, and development across Africa."

The AUPSC, composed of 15 member states, is the African Union's most powerful security body, tasked with promoting peace, security, and stability across the continent. Ethiopia's re-election—its fifth term—underscores its role in peacekeeping and conflict resolution, with the government emphasizing its contributions to stability in Africa.

Somalia played a role in the AU's selection process for vacant positions. A high-level ministerial meeting in Addis Ababa, chaired by Somalia's State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ali Mohamed Omar (Balcad), aimed at streamlining the selection of African candidates for AU and other international positions. 

Somali State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ali Mohamed Omar, presides over a session at the African Union Executive Council meeting in Addis Ababa. As chairperson, Omar played a key role in the selection process for AU leadership positions

"We have debated critical roles such as the President of the African Development Bank and the Director-General of UNESCO. Our goal is to ensure these positions are contested with fairness and transparency," said Minister Ali Balcad.

Minister Ali Balcad was joined at the meeting by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Hamza Adan, Ambassador Abdullahi Warfaa, and other Somali diplomats. 

Meanwhile, Somali officials confirmed that obstacles hindering Ethiopia's full participation in the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) have been resolved. The final structure and troop contributions from Ethiopia to the mission are expected to be finalized soon