Syria represents the most serious threat to international peace and security. For eight years Syrians had endured suffering upon suffering, starvation, civilian attacks, torture, and forced disappearance.

The 5th emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Syria took place this Saturday following the launch of missile on Syrian facilities by US, UK and France at the midnight of Friday.

The act of aggression which Russia, Iran and Syria strongly condemned was deliberated on by the five permanent members and the 10 non permanent members of the Security Council .

Three African Countries took part in the delibration- Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea, and Cote d’Ivoire.

Ethiopia represented by Tekeda Alemu called for maximum restraint, exercising of wisdom, and quick return to dialogue among major powers. Tekeda says any alternative to diplomacy would be catastrophic and beyond our imagination. Ethiopia stressed that truth was becoming difficult to establish and that for the sake of peace the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons OPCW must be allowed to carry out a thorough investigation.

Anatolio Ndong Mba who spoke on behalf of Equatorial Guinea strongly condemned the missile attack on Syria citing that the Cold War has returned with vengeance. In disappointment to the actions of UK, US and Franc, Equatorial Guinea says no act of aggression should be accepted at the moment unless the OPCW inspectors present a reliable proof that chemical weapon was used. Anatolio added that the use of force in international relations would bring no substantial change to the situation in Syria.

Cote d’Ivoire urged all actors to exercise restraint and not escalate the already disastrous situation. Further on, Cote d’Ivoire condemned the use of chemical weapons and called for the establishment of a multilateral mechanism to determine responsibility. Proffering solution, Côte d’Ivoire says military action is no option but a political solution achieved through diplomacy according to resolution 2254 will bring a lasting change.

Russia introduced a Draft Resolution hoping to be adopted by the Security Council. The resolution sorts to condemn the ‘act of aggression’ used UK, US and France and demanded the three countries to immediately cease such action and refrain further use of force.

Unfortunately, the draft suffered defeat on the floor of the UN. Eight members out of 15 voted against the resolution. The resolution had needed nine votes to pass.

Two African countries voted in abstentions ( Ethiopia and Equatorial Guinea), one against the resolution (Côte d’Ivoire).

Ethiopia said he had abstained in the vote on pragmatic grounds. Even if the draft had received 9 votes, it would have been vetoed and held only symbolic value. Ethiopia says he hopes to play a constructive role in diffusing tensions and preventing the situation from spiralling out of control.

Equatorial Guinea mentioned that he had abstained in the vote out of frustration over the Council’s inability to adopt a resolution establishing an attribution mechanism.

Côte d’Ivoire expressed that it voted to support because there must be zero tolerance for use of chemical weapons and global peace must be uphold.

Meanwhile, Syrian ambassador to UN made strong accusations against US and her allies. He said the chemical weapon was staged by the West and that UK, US and France have flagrantly disobeyed the international law, UN Charter, and the border rules. He emphasized that the missile launched on Friday night at about 3am Syrian time aimed at dissuading the OPCW fact finding mission from collecting evidence that links US and her allies to the chemical attack. Also, Ambassador JA’AFARI says those who voted against the resolution will no longer be partner of his government in any process leading to political settlement.

Concerns raised

First, US and are allies claim to have evidence of the chemical weapons used. Then why is US slow to bring the proof forward?.

Will missile strike solve Syrian war?.

SOURCE: un.org

@Africa Diplomatic Front