UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea is withdrawn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".

UN staff march in memory of fallen colleagues in Algiers

6 Jun 2008

UN staff march in memory of fallen colleagues in Algiers

New York, 19 December 2007 – United Nations staff in New York, led by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, honoured the memory of colleagues who died in the 11 December terrorist attack in Algiers with a silent march in front of the world body's Headquarters.

Seventeen UN staff members lost their lives when a car bomb destroyed the offices of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and damaged those of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in the Algerian capital. A second car bomb exploded near a court building.

On his return from Algiers, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told staff at UN Headquarters that his visit to the attack site and his meetings with the families of the victims and the injured were "profoundly emotional and heartbreaking."

Secretary-General's remarks to UN staff in Algiers

News articles