UN Security Council weighs lifting Eritrea sanctions

UNITED NATIONS: The Security Council is discussing the possible removal of sanctions against Eritrea given the latest positive developments in the Horn of Africa, said the Swedish ambassador to the UN, whose country held the Security Council presidency for July.

“That issue is being discussed,” Olof Skoog told reporters after closed-door Security Council consultations on Eritrea and Somalia.

The members of the Security Council welcomed the announcement that Eritrea and Somalia would work together to foster regional peace and stability. The council members reiterated their readiness to support the region in these efforts, said the ambassador.

Asked whether the council actually discussed the possible removal of sanctions against Eritrea, Skoog said: “That issue is being discussed… There is readiness to support the region in these efforts. I think you should understand with that that there is readiness to move forward on that issue.”

Ethiopia requested the lifting of UN Security Council sanctions on Eritrea after the two countries signed a historic Joint Declaration of Peace and Friendship on July 9 and agreed to normalise relations.

Ethiopia has also offered to help Eritrea and Djibouti to resolve their border dispute and normalise their relations.

“The Security Council supports and encourages Ethiopia’s efforts in this regard,” said Skoog.

Earlier this week, before Security Council deliberations, Skoog expressed the hope that the Security Council could decide on Eritrea sanctions as soon as possible.

“What is happening in the Horn of Africa is truly historic,” he told reporters. “It is important that we support those positive developments.

“The Swedish point of view is that we need to be cautious not to set targets and benchmarks that hinder the current positive momentum, and instead ensure that we allow Eritrea now to partake in the international arena and let people in the region enjoy the peace dividends.”

But it appears that not all council members are keen on the lifting of sanctions against Eritrea.

Dutch deputy permanent representative to the UN Lise Gregoire-van Haaren said on Monday that “all the criteria” should be examined in the review of the sanctions regime against Eritrea.

The positive developments in the Horn of Africa have created “a context in which we will have to review the sanctions regime.” – Xinhua