HORN OF AFRICA.

• Author: Rutsch, Horst
• Position: Brief Article

New UN Mission Established

In an effort to end their two-year border war, Ethiopia and Eritrea signed on 18 June in Algiers the Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities, which called upon the United Nations, in cooperation with the Organization of African Unity, to establish a peacekeeping operation to assist in the Agreement's implementation. On 31 July, the Security Council created the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE), with 100 military observers and main offices in Addis Ababa and Asmara, to monitor the cessation of hostilities, the temporary security zone and the agreed repositioning of troops from both sides. Eritrean forces will remain at a distance of 25 kilometres from the new position of the Ethiopian troops.

In unanimously adopting resolution 1320 (2000) on 15 September, the Council expanded the size and the mandate of UNMEE. It authorized the deployment of 4,200 troops, including up to 220 military observers, with an initial six-month mandate to carry out a range of verification tasks, including monitoring the ceasefire between Ethiopia and Eritrea, and ensuring that the parties adhere to their security commitments. The Mission will also provide technical assistance in mine action activities and coordinate with the humanitarian and human rights work of others in the zone and adjacent areas. Initial deployment was completed by 25 September, and by 23 October...