UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea is withdrawn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".

Progress made in regrouping of peacekeepers in Asmara

6 Jun 2008

Progress made in regrouping of peacekeepers in Asmara

Asmara, 28 February – UNMEE's relocation from 33 deployment sites in the Temporary Security Zone to Asmara continued to make progress today. Some 788 out of a total of 1,115 military personnel have regrouped in the Capital while 112 are in Assab.

The Mission continued to encounter obstructions at the Senafe checkpoint where Eritrean soldiers stopped some UN convoys. In the past 24 hours, seven UN posts inside the Temporary Security Zone were vacated and taken over by Eritrean militia, police and army personnel.

UNMEE's regrouping is taking place in preparation for a temporary relocation to Ethiopia after Eritrean authorities cut off the Mission's fuel supplies, paralyzing the work of its peacekeepers on that side of the border.

The Security Council and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, have repeatedly urged Eritrea to end its restrictions.

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