Africa BriefingAfrica Briefing

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

    What's Hot

    HIV vaccine trial in Africa halted over ineffectiveness concerns

    December 7, 2023

    Zimbabwe’s ZANU-PF angered by US visa restrictions

    December 7, 2023

    West African court dismisses Niger junta’s bid to lift ECOWAS sanctions

    December 7, 2023
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    • Home
    • About Us
      • Profile
      • The Team
      • Advertise
      • Media Kit
    • Contact Us
    • Regions
      • Ghana
      • Nigeria
      • Kenya
      • South Africa
      • Europe
      • United Kingdom
      • USA (North America)
    Trending
    • HIV vaccine trial in Africa halted over ineffectiveness concerns
    • Zimbabwe’s ZANU-PF angered by US visa restrictions
    • West African court dismisses Niger junta’s bid to lift ECOWAS sanctions
    • Sierra Leone ex-president Koroma summoned over failed coup probe
    • Op-Ed: Ghana’s media treats terrorism as a threat from outside – it overlooks violence at home
    • Vista Group expands in Africa with acquisition of Société Générale subsidiaries
    • Mastercard Foundation’s Africa Growth Fund injects $200m to drive women and youth economic opportunities
    • US state sues Meta, Kenyan judge finds no contempt in moderator payment case
    0 Shopping Cart
    Facebook Twitter YouTube LinkedIn
    Africa BriefingAfrica Briefing
    Resources
    Support Us
    • News
    • Politics
    • Business
    • Energy
    • Technology
    • CryptoTech
      • Crypto News
      • Startups & Companies
      • Crypto Currencies
      • DeFi
      • Metaverse
      • NFTs
    • More
      • Videos
      • Opinion
    • Magazine
    Africa BriefingAfrica Briefing
    Home»Home Featured»UN Chief to Ethiopian government: show me evidence of misconduct
    Home Featured

    UN Chief to Ethiopian government: show me evidence of misconduct

    Editorial StaffBy Editorial StaffOctober 7, 2021No Comments1 Views
    Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Telegram
    Share
    Facebook Twitter Telegram WhatsApp

    THE UN Secretary-General told Ethiopia’s government Wednesday that it should show him any documents or evidence the country has to substantiate accusations related to the expulsion of seven senior humanitarian officials from the country.

    In a rare and unusual public exchange, Antonio Guterres took the floor of the UN Security Council after the Ethiopian ambassador levelled accusations against the staffers, including that they inflated the numbers of people in need of aid by 1 million and reported deaths that never happened.

    ‘I would like to ask you one thing, Mr. Ambassador,’ Guterres said, directing his remarks to Ethiopian envoy Taye Atske Selassie, who was seated at the council table. ‘If there is any written document provided by the Ethiopian government to any UN institution about any of the (seven) members of the UN that were expelled, I’d like to receive a copy of that document, because I haven’t any knowledge of any of them, and it would be very useful to me.’

    Guterres went on to say that he twice told Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (pictured) that if he had concerns about the lack of impartiality of UN staff, he should raise them directly with him so he could investigate.

    ‘Until now, I have no response to this request,’ the secretary-general said.

    He added that Addis Ababa’s move to expel the officials is a violation of international law. UN staff are protected by immunity conventions.

    Guterres emphasized that he seeks cooperation with the government so humanitarians can do the necessary work to ease the suffering of millions of Ethiopians.

    ‘We have no other interest but to help stop that suffering,’ he said.

    Reporters outside the council asked him about the exchange.

    ‘It is my duty to defend the honour of the United Nations,’ Guterres replied.

    On September 30, Ethiopia announced the seven had 72 hours to leave the country, accusing them of meddling in its internal affairs and diverting aid and telecommunications equipment to the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). The government has been fighting the TPLF in the north of the country for nearly a year.

    On Monday, the United Nations confirmed the seven were no longer in the country.

    New accusations

    At Wednesday’s council meeting, Ethiopian envoy Selassie appeared to level new accusations.

    He said there were a ‘multitude of transgressions,’ including efforts by the staffers to create a “Darfur-like” situation — referring to the massive humanitarian crisis in Sudan in the early 2000s.

    ‘They suddenly and overnight created 1 million victims,’ he alleged.

    ‘We have evidence that the entire endeavour was created by a higher and more sophisticated motivation that seeks to undermine the Ethiopian state and rescue the TPLF,’ he said without elaboration.

    The humanitarian situation in Tigray and the neighbouring regions of Amhara and Afar is deteriorating. Guterres said Wednesday that up to 7 million people in the three conflict-affected areas are in need of food assistance and other support. He warned that obstacles have ‘crippled’ humanitarian operations.

    Council members also expressed their concern about the expulsion of the UN staffers.

    ‘There is no justification for the government of Ethiopia’s action,’ US envoy Linda Thomas-Greenfield said. ‘None at all.’

    She said the expulsions followed a ‘pattern of escalating obstruction’ by the government that must be reversed.

    ‘And if these calls for humanitarian access continue to go unheard, then the Security Council must act,’ she said. ‘We can ensure the UN is allowed to deliver impartial aid. We should immediately consider all tools at our disposal to facilitate this, including a Security Council resolution, to save lives and promote international peace and security.’

    The African members of the council — Kenya, Niger and Tunisia — along with China, urged ‘quiet diplomacy’ to resolve the rift between Addis Ababa and the United Nations.

    Russia’s representative was more explicit, saying that while the expulsions were regrettable, they should not be ‘dramatised.’

    ‘We are certain that pressure involving the UN Security Council, threats and resolutions, and the imposition of unlawful unilateral sanctions and the creation of a toxic atmosphere in the media is counterproductive,’ Russian Deputy UN Ambassador Anna Evstigneeva said.

    Margaret Besheer/VOA

    Share. Facebook Twitter Telegram WhatsApp

    Related Posts

    Zimbabwe’s ZANU-PF angered by US visa restrictions

    December 7, 2023

    West African court dismisses Niger junta’s bid to lift ECOWAS sanctions

    December 7, 2023

    Sierra Leone ex-president Koroma summoned over failed coup probe

    December 7, 2023
    Add A Comment

    Comments are closed.

    Top Posts

    Sex tourism: The Gambia is fed up with UK grandmothers hunting for toy boys

    September 19, 20225,693

    Op-Ed: Qatar World Cup 2022 – prejudice, coordinated attacks and Western grandstanding

    November 4, 20222,534

    Ghanaian architect of UK’s Black History Month honoured by prestigious British university

    December 12, 20222,187

    Turkey seizes $1 billion of counterfeit money bound for Africa

    June 10, 20231,960
    Don't Miss
    Development

    HIV vaccine trial in Africa halted over ineffectiveness concerns

    By Editorial StaffDecember 7, 2023130

    A TRIAL of an experimental HIV vaccine in Uganda, Tanzania and South Africa has been…

    Zimbabwe’s ZANU-PF angered by US visa restrictions

    December 7, 2023

    West African court dismisses Niger junta’s bid to lift ECOWAS sanctions

    December 7, 2023

    Sierra Leone ex-president Koroma summoned over failed coup probe

    December 7, 2023
    Stay In Touch
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
    • LinkedIn
    About Us
    About Us

    AfricaBriefing is a monthly magazine designed to provide news and information on Africa to Africans at home and abroad, and the wider global audience that has a committed interest in the continent’s political, economic and social developments.

    Facebook Twitter YouTube LinkedIn
    Our Picks

    HIV vaccine trial in Africa halted over ineffectiveness concerns

    December 7, 2023

    Zimbabwe’s ZANU-PF angered by US visa restrictions

    December 7, 2023

    West African court dismisses Niger junta’s bid to lift ECOWAS sanctions

    December 7, 2023
    Most Popular

    Sex tourism: The Gambia is fed up with UK grandmothers hunting for toy boys

    September 19, 20225,693

    Op-Ed: Qatar World Cup 2022 – prejudice, coordinated attacks and Western grandstanding

    November 4, 20222,534

    Ghanaian architect of UK’s Black History Month honoured by prestigious British university

    December 12, 20222,187
    © 2023 AfricaBriefing.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    Privacy Policy & Cookie Management
    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Read more: Read More
    Do not sell my personal information.
    Cookie SettingsAccept
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
    CookieDurationDescription
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
    viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
    Functional
    Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
    Performance
    Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
    Analytics
    Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
    Advertisement
    Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
    Others
    Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
    SAVE & ACCEPT