Global Policy Forum

By Nita Bhalla

Negotiations are underway between the Ethiopian Government and the United Nations to resolve the latest dispute about the border with Eritrea.

On Saturday, the Ethiopian Government closed the border to UN peacekeepers stationed in the region to oversee a ceasefire between the two countries, following their two-and-half-year war.

Ethiopia has accused the UN mission of violating the agreement by transporting foreign journalists from Eritrea into Ethiopian-administered areas without prior permission. Eritrea has asked for detailed information on where the alleged border violation took place, saying an international tribunal ruled on the location of the border last month.

All flights using the so-called "UN corridor" between Eritrea and Ethiopia have been suspended. All UN vehicles and personnel have also been ordered to return to their posts on either side of the border.

Limited stocks

Peacekeepers on the ground - mainly Indian, Kenyan and Jordanian troops - say the impact of the dispute has not been felt yet, because essential supplies have been stocked in all UN posts along the border.

However, in the coming days, the closure is likely to affect some 1,500 peacekeepers caught on the Ethiopian side, as stocks dwindle. The UN mission headquarters in the Eritrean capital, Asmara, have been the main source of drinking water, fuel, oil, and medical supplies for the peacekeepers.

Furthermore, concern is mounting over the issue of medical evacuation. Should serious medical attention be required for injured peacekeepers, evacuation has to be made to Asmara, where the UN mission has set up a hospital.

Treading cautiously

Though the decision to close the border has been taken at the "highest political level", some of the Ethiopian military commanders on ground do not seem to be aware of it.

Sources on the ground say there either appears to be an ambiguity in the orders. If Ethiopia keeps its borders closed to the UN for much longer, political analysts say this could be "detrimental" to the whole peace process between Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Analysts add that these restrictions will seriously hamper efforts for the UN peacekeepers to carry out their routine patrols in the region to ensure that both sides continue to respect the ceasefire. For the time being, however, UN peacekeepers are treading cautiously to avoid any incident or confrontation.

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