Update Report

Posted 9 November 2005
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Update Report No. 1: Ethiopia/Eritrea

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Recent Developments
The Council adopted Resolution 1640 on 23 November, demanding that Eritrea lifts the restrictions imposed against the UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) and that both parties redeploy their troops. The Secretary-General is expected to report on the parties’ compliance in December. The Council will then consider measures under Article 41 of the Charter in case the parties fail to comply. Demands on Ethiopia to allow demarcation of the common border are also made, but they are not under the Article 41 threat.

Expected Council Action
We expect that the Council will revisit the situation in December upon receipt of the report of the Secretary-General. Should Eritrea fail to lift the restrictions against UNMEE and both parties fail to redeploy troops, we expect that the Council will seriously consider sanctions under Article 41 of the Charter, including possibly revamping the arms embargo.

Key Facts
From 1998 to 2000, Ethiopia and Eritrea fought over border territories. The conflict ceased with the Algiers Agreement in December 2000, after international pressure including an arms embargo imposed by the Council, subsequently lifted. The Council entrusted UNMEE with, inter alia, monitoring the Temporary Security Zone (TSZ), a buffer area along the border. The Agreement stipulated a final and binding decision from an independent Boundary Commission. This was handed down in April 2002.

The peace process has been stalled since 2003, when Ethiopia refused to allow demarcation of the border. Ethiopia demanded that the line be varied to take into account “human and physical geography”. It has since stated that it accepts the decision “in principle”, while it requests review of certain locations, especially the town of Badme and the region of Irob. Addis Ababa faces increasing pressure from domestic constituencies not to concede any more territory to Eritrea. The country has also stressed that further issues need to be addressed, such as Ethiopia’s access to the sea.

In October, Eritrea introduced limitations on the movement of UNMEE personnel. The restrictions (i) violate agreements with Ethiopia, (ii) endanger the lives of peacekeepers, thus raising concerns among troop contributing countries (TCCs), and (iii) restrict UNMEE’s ability to monitor the TSZ and adjacent areas.

Eritrea has stood firmly against any special envoys to the region or contacts with Ethiopia, which it perceives as tantamount to compromising on immediate demarcation. It has also voiced strong criticism of the Council for not robustly enforcing the Commission’s decision.

Troop movements along the border on both sides have been reported, as well as violations of the TSZ. Much to the concern of TCCs, further instances of risky evacuations by road have been necessary due to Eritrea’s ban on the use of helicopters.

The Council issued a Press Statement on 3 November, and it sent to the region Ambassador Kenzo Oshima of Japan from 6 to 9 November. The visit was not able to secure any reduction in the restrictions on UNMEE, nor was it able to reduce tensions. but it cemented the consensus on the current sanctions threat against Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Key Issues
The Council still faces the need to apply effective pressure on the parties, including sanctions, should they fail to comply. A looming issue will also be the demarcation of the border.

An aspect of this issue is the extent to which the Council is perceived to be acting even-handedly.

Council Dynamics
Achieving agreement has eluded the Council for almost a month largely due to US policy postions. However, a growing consensus on the issue has nonetheless been emerging in the past few days, and this is reflected in the resolution recently adopted.

Negotiations sought to balance demanding Ethiopia’s compliance with the delimitation decision on the one hand, and, on the other, emphasizing that Eritrea’s restrictions must be condemned and cannot be used as a bargaining tool. Eritrea’s present stance is seen by many Council members as highly dangerous and counterproductive.

Options
Possible options before the Council include:

  • Reactivating sanctions against both parties;
  • Sponsoring a more intimate involvement of the “witnesses” to the Algiers Agreement (African Union, EU, UN and US); and, as a last resort,
  • Downsizing or withdrawing UNMEE.

Underlying Problems
The war had a deep impact on civilians, and its humanitarian effects are still felt on the ground. Frequent drought and food insecurity continue to inflict a heavy toll on populations in both countries.

The Boundary Commission found in July 2002 that Ethiopia had settled nationals in territory awarded to Eritrea, and ordered Ethiopia to remove such settlements. Ethiopia has failed to comply with the Order.

UN Documents

Security Council Resolutions
  • S/Res/1640 (23 November 2005) threatened santions.
  • S/Res/1622 (13 September 2005) further adjusted UNMEE.
  • S/Res/1560 (14 September 2004) adjusted UNMEE’s presence and operations.
  • S/Res/1320 (15 September 2000) increased UNMEE to 4,200 and authorised it to monitor the TSZ, inter alia.
  • S/Res/1312 (31 July 2000) established UNMEE.
  • S/Res/1298 (17 May 2000) established an arms embargo and a Sanctions Committee.
Presidential Statements
  • S/PRST/2005/47 (4 October 2005) urged Eritrea to lift restrictions.
  • S/PRST/2001/14 (15 May 2001) noted the termination of the arms embargo.
Reports of Security Council Missions to Ethiopia and Eritrea
Secretary-General’s Reports
  • S/2005/553 (30 August 2005) and Add.1 (6 September 2005) is the latest report.
  • S/2005/142 (07 March 2005) details steps necessary to finalise demarcation.
  • S/2004/708 (02 September 2004) proposed adjustments to UNMEE.
  • S/2003/1186 (19 December 2003) details Ethiopia’s refusal to allow demarcation and has responses from Eritrea and the Commission.
  • S/2003/257 (06 March 2003) and Add.1 (31 March 2003) detail the Ethiopian interpretation of the demarcation process and the Commission’s views.
  • S/2000/785 (9 August 2000) reported on the new size and mandate for UNMEE.
Press Statements
  • SC/8547 (3 November 2005) by the President of the Council.
  • SG/SM/10198 (2 November 2005) by the Secretary-General.
Other
  • S/2005/723 (17 November 2005) is the report of Ambassador Oshima’s mission.
  • S/2005/688 (31 October 2005) Letter from the President of Eritrea

Historical Background

October 2005

Eritrea imposed restrictions on UNMEE’s movement.

February 2005

Boundary Commission closed down Field Offices.

September 2004

UNMEE downsized.

September 2003

Ethiopia refused to allow the full demarcation of the border.

April 2002 Boundary Commission ruling handed down.
December 2000

Algiers Agreement signed.

July 2000 UNMEE established .
June 2000

Ceasefire signed; TSZ established.

1999

The conflict escalated to full-fledged war. Both parties accepted the Framework Agreement.

1998

Eritrea took over Badme; battle ensued.

1993 Eritrea became independent.
1962 Ethiopia annexed Eritrea; fighting began.
1952

Eritrea and Ethiopia formed a federation following UN General Assembly Resolution 390 (V).

Other Relevant Facts

Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Chief of Mission
Legwaila Joseph Legwaila (Botswana)
Size and Composition of Mission

Authorized maximum strength: 4,200 troops.
Strength as of 31 August 2005: 3,293 military personnel.
Troop contributing countries: Algeria, Austria, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, India, Iran, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Tunisia, Ukraine, United States, Uruguay and Zambia.

Cost
Approved budget: 1 July 2005 – 30 June 2006: $185.99 million (gross)
Duration
31 July 2000 to present

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