United Nations — In a move welcomed by the United Nations, Eritrea informed the UN today that it would resume rearranging its armed forces on 5 April in order to continue the process of establishing the buffer zone between Ethiopian and Eritrean forces.

Eritrea had earlier suspended the rearrangement, which was scheduled to have been concluded by 3 April, due to objections regarding the southern boundary of the future Temporary Security Zone (TSZ), according to the UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE). Speaking from the capital of Ethiopia, UNMEE chief Legwaila Joseph Legwaila warmly welcomed Eritrea's move, which he called "encouraging."

"This decision is extremely important for moving the peace process ahead as it will allow for the establishment of the TSZ, and for the return of the population displaced from the area," Mr. Legwaila said in Addis Ababa, where he is holding a series of high-level meetings as part of his continuing intensive consultations with both parties.

The Eritrean Commissioner for Coordination with the UN Peacekeeping Mission, Andebrhan W. Giorgis, made it clear today that the decision of President Isaias Afwerki to rearrange forces was unconditional and would be completed shortly after 5 April, UNMEE said in a statement.

However, Eritrea still expects UNMEE to make adjustments regarding the southern boundary of the prospective TSZ, to address Eritrean objections and to permit the return of Eritrean displaced persons. The Commissioner announced the decision at a meeting in Asmara with UNMEE's Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ian Martin, and the Force Commander of the UN operation, Major-General Patrick Cammaert.

Meanwhile, UNMEE announced today that the next meeting of the Military Coordination Commission (MCC), which is chaired by the UNMEE Force Commander and brings together senior military representatives from the two parties, is scheduled for 6 April.