UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea is withdrawn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".

Security Council seeks consultation with Ethiopia and Eritrea

6 Jun 2008

Security Council seeks consultation with Ethiopia and Eritrea

New York, 30 April: The Security Council this evening expressed its readiness to assist Ethiopia and Eritrea to overcome the current stalemate concerning their borders. In a statement read out by Council President Dumisani S. Kumalo of South Africa, the Council said a decision "on the terms of a future engagement in Ethiopia and Eritrea, as well as the future of the Mission, would be taken in the light of consultations with the parties."

However, the Council stressed that the primary responsibility for achieving a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the border dispute and normalizing relations between the countries rested with the parties themselves."The Security Council urges both sides to show maximum restraint and to refrain from any threat or use of force against each other and calls upon the parties to address forthwith the unresolved issues in accordance with the commitments made in the Algiers Agreements," the President said.

The Council also noted that the continuation of Eritrea's obstructions towards United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) had undermined the basis of the Mission's mandate and compelled UNMEE to temporarily relocate. The Council recalled its previous condemnation of Eritrea's lack of cooperation.

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