The resumption of diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea have been lauded by the United Nations Security Council. But the body did not rule against lifting sanctions on Eritrea after concerns were raised by the representatives of the United States, China, Britain, France and Ivory Coast.

In a declaration which did not mention the border dispute between Eritrea and Djibouti, Ivory Coast brought up the issue which was supported by a handful of another member states but not included.

In June 2008, Djibouti accused Eritrea of moving troops across the border, resulting in escalating tensions between the Horn of Africa countries which left several casualties.

As a member of the Council, Ethiopia said Monday it wanted the United Nations to lift off sanctions against Eritrea.

Eritrea has been subjected to a series of arms embargo by the UN since 2009. The world body has accused the country of providing political over, financial and material support to armed groups, in a bid to undermine peace and reconciliation efforts in Somalia. Charges which have repeatedly been denied by Asmara.

This coming November, the 15-member Security Council is expected to still renew its arms embargo and sanctions placed against Eritrea.

A resolution could be adopted before the sanctions are lifted if it chooses to. Such a resolution will need 9 votes in favour with no veto from the United States, United Kingdom, China, Russia, and France in order to pass.

Back in November 2017, a resolution which renewed sanctions had urged both Eritrea and Djibouti to comprehensively ”maintain an atmosphere of calm and restraint and to seek all available solutions to resolve their border dispute peacefully”.

Neba Benson,

BaretaNews Foreign Correspondent/Analyst