UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea is withdrawn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".

SG urges Ethiopia and Eritrea to de-escalate border row

6 Jun 2008

SG urges Ethiopia and Eritrea to de-escalate border row

New York, 24 January: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has warned that the continuing military build-up by Ethiopia and Eritrea in their border areas could reignite hostilities.

In his latest report to the Security Council on the work of the mission,

Mr. Ban said the two countries urgently needed to de-escalate the situation, end their exchange of hostile statements, and return to December 2004 levels of deployment in the border. He said Eritrea must immediately withdraw all troops and heavy military equipment from the Temporary Security Zone (TSZ) and reverse all restrictions on the movement and operations of UNMEE. This includes fuel supplies, which were stopped last month.

"I am seriously concerned that, if not resolved immediately, the stoppage of fuel supplies since 1 December 2007 will completely immobilize the Mission operations in the coming few weeks," Mr. Ban said, noting that UNMEE would have to relocate staff and equipment unless fuel is available.

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