UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea is withdrawn

On 30 July 2008, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 1827 terminating the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) with effect from the following day. The Council decision came in response to crippling restrictions imposed by Eritrea on UNMEE, as well as the cutting off of fuel supplies – making it impossible for the operation to continue carrying out its mandated tasks, and putting at risk the safety and security of UN personnel.

At the same time, resolution 1827 called on the two Horn of Africa countries "to show maximum restraint and refrain from any threat or use of force against each other and to avoid provocative military activities".

Low fuel stocks force UNMEE to prepare for relocation

6 Jun 2008

Low fuel stocks force UNMEE to prepare for relocation

New York, 5 February: Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today that the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) would be forced to relocate from Eritrea this week if fuel restriction imposed by the Asmara Government were not lifted.

"The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the critical crisis facing the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) as a result of the stoppage of diesel fuel supplies to the Mission by the Government of Eritrea since 1 December 2007," a spokesperson for Mr. Ban said in a statement.

The spokesman added that if fuel supplies are not reinstated by 6 February 2008, Mr. Ban would instruct UNMEE to begin relocating the Mission's personnel and equipment from Eritrea, on a temporary basis.

"The Secretary-General emphasizes that the temporary relocation of the Mission's personnel is a contingency measure forced by the restrictions imposed on UNMEE by the Eritrean authorities, which are endangering the safety and security of the Mission's personnel," the spokesperson said, adding that this is without prejudice to the 2000 agreement ending hostilities between Ethiopia and Eritrea.

News articles