September 16, 2000
The Security Council Friday authorised the deployment of 4,200 troops, including 220 military observers as part of the UN mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea to enhance the effort to bring peace between the two neighbours. The mission, known as UNMEE is to have an initial six-month mandate, ending 15 March 2001, according to a resolution adopted by the Council on Friday.
UNMEE is to monitor and ensure that both Eritrea and Ethiopia comply with their agreement on cessation of hostilities, including redeployment of their respective forces to agreed positions. The mission will also co-ordinate and provide technical assistance for humanitarian mine action activities and also chair the military co-ordination commission to be jointly established by the UN and the Organisation of African Unity (OAU).
To facilitate the deployment of the troops, the Council requested the governments of both countries to conclude a status- of-forces agreement with the Secretary-General within 30 days of the adoption of the resolution. The two countries were also called upon to ensure UNMEE's access and freedom of movement and facilitate its task and ensure safe and unhindered access for humanitarian workers.
Ethiopia and Eritrea are also urged to immediately proceed with demining to ensure access for UN personnel to areas being monitored. The Council indicated that UNMEE's mandate will be terminated on completion of the process for the delimitation and demarcation of the border between Ethiopia and Eritrea. In this regard, the Council urged both parties to continue with negotiations and conclude a comprehensive peace settlement.
Ethiopia and Eritrea went to war in 1998 in a dispute over their common border. After failed negotiations, an agreement to end hostilities was signed earlier this year, opening the way for the intervention of the UN to help in resolving the conflict.
