Ethiopians Can Overcome Current Challenges: Chinese Ambassador to UN

November 9/2021 /ENA/ Ethiopians have the capacity and wisdom to overcome the current challenges, maintain national unity, and move the country back to the right track of peace, stability, development and revitalization, Chinese Ambassador to the United Nations Zhang Jun said.

In his remarks at the United Nations Security Council, the ambassador said Ethiopia is a country with a long history and a splendid civilization.

At every historical juncture, the people of Ethiopia have been able to come together to defend the country's sovereignty, unity and long-term development, he noted.

At the Briefing on Ethiopia session, Ambassador Jun said, “We are confident that the people of Ethiopia have the capacity and wisdom to overcome the current challenges, maintain national unity, and move the country back to the right track of peace, stability, development and revitalization.”

He reaffirmed that China stands ready to work with the international community to continue to support the efforts of the people of Ethiopia.

Noting that the current humanitarian needs in Ethiopia are enormous, the ambassador stated that  the international community should help the country to improve its humanitarian response capacity and scale up relief delivery so that humanitarian assistance can, to the maximum extent possible, reach everywhere in need.

“When providing humanitarian support to Ethiopia, we should respect the country's sovereignty and leadership, follow the UN guiding principles for humanitarian actions, and avoid politicizing humanitarian issues,” he underlined.

Moreover, the ambassador noted that the international community, in particular the Security Council, should give the time and space needed for the AU and others to carry out their good offices.

“Using trade restrictions or cutting off aid as a means to exert maximum pressure on Ethiopia will only interfere with the political settlement, but will not help the parties resolve their conflicts and rebuild mutual trust,” he pointed out.

China always supports African solutions to African problems, Jun said, adding that “We welcome the political good offices of High Representative Obasanjo.”