UN News Service (New York)

Eritrea: No Obstructions to Regrouping of Peacekeepers, UN Says

With Eritrea still hindering the temporary relocation of United Nations peacekeepers to Ethiopia, the UN mission to the two countries said today that there were as yet no obstructions to its regrouping in the Eritrean capital of Asmara.

UN convoys en route to Asmara are moving troops, equipment and supplies from all sectors of the Temporary Security Zone (TSZ) that divides the Horn of Africa countries which fought a bloody border war that ended in 2000, according to the UN Mission to Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE).

Earlier this month, UNMEE decided to relocate to Ethiopia after Eritrea cut off diesel fuel supplies to the Mission, paralyzing the operation on that side of the border.

Additionally, food stocks are also running extremely low for blue helmets after a commercial company supplying rations to UNMEE said it would no longer fulfil its contractual obligations.

The mission's personnel and equipment began regrouping this weekend in a bid to speed up the relocation.

Yesterday, Edmond Mulet, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), briefed the Security Council on UNMEE's temporary relocation efforts, after which Ambassador Ricardo Alberto Arias of Panama, which holds the rotating Council presidency, told journalists that the 15-member panel "condemned Eritrea's systematic violations of successive Security Council resolutions."


Copyright © 2008 UN News Service. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.

AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 130 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.

Comments 1 to 5 of 7 Post a comment

  • teccola
    Feb 23 2008, 21:45

    I feel sory for the inconveniency created in relocating the UN peace keepers but now it seems okay to regroup them in Asmara. However do not forget still the temporary regrouping is not in line with the ultimate intention and objectives of the UN.The Eritrean regime is ultimately accountable for unforseen consequences and impacts on the UN peace keeping forces.Now your confrontation is with the collective member states of the UN security council not a single state.The justification given by the Eritrean UN diplomatic mission for hindering the temporary relocation is not valid argument or is not acceptable in light of the UN tenets and principles. Come to your sense and be diplomatic in all your dealings. Regards Teccola

  • emman9127
    Feb 25 2008, 06:52

    I wouldn't surprise of Eritrean response on arrogant and irresponsible Imperialistic control of United Nations on Eritrean land. TSZ isn't forever as some people are thinking but it is only temporary till Eritrea and Ethiopia border lined. They don’t have to use as a means of controlling and manipulating their interest in Eritrea. Eight years is more than enough to let them convince Ethiopia to accept Algeria’s agreement. Thought we Eritrean’s have differences in ourselves, we don’t let outsiders control or manipulate us. We love peace, give peace and love to see peace of others. Peace is hard to find and easy to lose it. We appreciate United Nations decision, we would have appreciated them much if they have applied it practically.

    Peace be with you all

    Amanuel

  • teddysuhull
    Feb 24 2008, 10:26

    Je crois que pendant 5 ans d'occupation par ONU à l'Erythrée, ils ont optenu aucun résultat à la signature d'Algerie. Ils vont que promener avec leur voiture 4x4 et prostituer les jeunes filles Erythréens, dormir dans les Hôtel de luxe. Pour moi ce n'ai pas du travail, dans ce cas ils aurait dû rentrer chez eux. Michael

  • rastaman
    Mar 2 2008, 19:39

    In all sincerity, this is all about the two leadership of both countries wanting peace or not. Neither of them do. do. And until they do there is not any body of world organization that can make them want peace. Their respective people could; but, the Hodam Ethiopian people have been too busy building their economy and the Eritreans crying with 'Hade Libi", projecting every blame there is on others. This will have no end until both people wake up and realize the not so importance of demarcating a dilimted border. The Syrians didn't cry for a day when they lost the Golan Heights to Israel, 40 years ago. There is more life to stinking borders. Eritreans wake up and stay away from lining up for bread!! Ethiopians wake up too and help your neighbors to wake up and smell cofee.. You can't leave and eat in peace when the neighboring house is on fire. God bless the One people of both nations!

  • fete.k
    Feb 24 2008, 05:04

    UN is just living and getting their salary in both countries, by my opinion they are paracites, I need to send them to their homes, they disturb the region, they are evils, doing very bad job and illegal works like smugling..... regards Niga fete....

See All Comments