H.E JOSEPH MUCHEMI the Kenya High commissioner UK who recently asked all kenyans in the diaspora to work hard towards unity 
The British High commissioner in Tanzania[middle]
Ayoub mzee with Jermine Jackson the brother of Micheal Jackson In LondonThe mandate of the UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) expires on 31 January, and the UN Security Council is now considering its future. Over the last few days, informal consultations have been taking place among some member states on preliminary draft resolutions for consideration by the Security Council. A formal Security Council meeting taking place later today [25th Jan] will be preceded by a meeting of the countries providing troops to UNMEE. The Security Council will then be briefed by a senior member of the secretariat. This meeting will be followed by expert-level consideration of the draft resolution which is expected to be approved by the Security Council in the middle of next week.
The issue of fuel supplies for UNMEE will be high on these agendas following the decision of the Government of Eritrea to stop all diesel fuel for UNMEE. The UN Secretary-General has written to the Eritrean President asking him to reconsider this move. The Secretary-General emphasized that unless Eritrea immediately allows UNMEE to replenish fuel supplies or import from its own reserves in Ethiopia or from the United Nations Mission in Sudan , he might be forced to take steps to start the withdrawal of UNMEE. The Secretary General has himself also written to the Security Council over this ‘drastic measure’, and other recent actions by Eritrea , including its rejection of the offer of his good offices to assist the two parties to implement their legal obligations and normalize their relations. His letters appear to show considerable frustration with the continued obstructions imposed by the Eritrean Government. It mirrors Ethiopia ’s own letter of Notification to Eritrea on its material breaches of the Algiers Agreements.
The Secretary General this week also submitted his latest Report on Ethiopia and Eritrea to the President of the Security Council (S/2007/40). Dated 23.1.2008, it covers events since his previous report at the beginning of last November. It details the further deployment of Eritrean forces inside the demilitarized Temporary Security Zone, in violation of the Algiers Agreements. It notes further deployment of Eritrea military forces and tanks, of military training taking place inside the zone, and the building of fortifications and defenses in the zone. It itemizes 17 new camps being set up, as well as new checkpoints, 21 new bunkers and new trenches in the Central Sector. The Secretary-General notes a stoppage of UNMEE officials at gun point and the arrest of UNMEE personnel. There is a brief reference to Ethiopian military activities south of the Temporary Security Zone. The Secretary-General noted that Eritrea has continued to maintain all previous restrictions on UNMEE and, as he reported in his letter to the Security Council, also imposed fuel restrictions on the Mission . The ban on the use of helicopters remains, depriving UNMEE of critical capacity to carry out emergency medical evacuation. Eritrea also continues to refuse to accept UNMEE personnel from the USA and Canada and certain European countries.
The Secretary General repeats that the primary responsibility for resolving the border dispute and normalization of relations lies with the parties and his offer of good offices remains available. He also underlines the obligation of both parties to comply with the Algiers Agreements and the resolutions of the Security Council. In this context, he reminds both parties of the Security Council resolution 1767 (2007) which among other things demands that Eritrea immediately withdraw its troops and heavy military equipment from the Temporary Security Zone and reverse, without further delay or preconditions, all restrictions on UNMEE movements and operations to allow the Mission to effectively carry out its mandate. The Secretary-General reiterates his serious concern about Eritrea ’s stoppage of fuel for UNMEE, and the probability that this will mean the immobilization of Mission operations and enforce a relocation of staff and equipment. Because of this grave development, the Secretary-General makes an unusual recommendation to the Council: a one month technical roll-over of the mandate of UNMEE, rather than the more usual recommendation of a six month extension.
It is not the first time that Eritrea ’s actions have provided a serious threat to the integrity of UNMEE. In 2005, Security Council Resolution 1640 (2005) starts: “…Deeply deplores Eritrea’s continued imposition of restrictions on the freedom of movement of UNMEE and demands that the Government of Eritrea reverse, without further delay or preconditions, its decision to ban UNMEE helicopter flights, as well as additional restrictions imposed on the operations of UNMEE, and provide UNMEE with the access, assistance, support and protection required for the performance of its duties”. The resolution goes on to expresses the Council’s determination to consider further appropriate measures, including those available under Article 41 of the Charter of the United Nations, in the event of the failure of Eritrea to respond to this demand. The Council has continued to avoid resolute action against Eritrea despite Eritrea ’s defiance over the last three years. This inaction has encouraged Eritrea not only to hold UNMEE hostage but also to intensify its actions and threats against Ethiopia . Eritrea has practically demolished the Temporary Security Zone and deployed military forces and heavy equipment throughout the buffer zone. It continues to refuse any peaceful dialogue with Ethiopia and has rejected all initiatives of the Secretary General to assist the two countries resolve their dispute, demarcate the boundary and normalize relations.
Last weekend, Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin addressed letters to both the President of the Security Council and the UN Secretary-General. These reiterated Ethiopia ’s full acceptance of the Delimitation Decision of the 13 April 2002, and its desire to demarcate the border according to international norms and practices. The letters also noted that the EEBC’s view of “virtual demarcation” had no status in international law, was not binding and could only be considered a “legal fiction”. In his letter to the President of the Security Council, Foreign Minister Seyoum stressed that the most relevant factor now was that Eritrea was in breach of the Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities and had completely violated the demilitarized Temporary Security Zone. He noted that Ethiopia now expected the Security Council to exercise its authority to take appropriate measures against the party in violation of the provisions of the ceasefire agreement as provided in Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities. Ethiopia believes that the Security Council should now take resolute action to ensure respect for the Peacekeeping Mission, and restore the integrity of the zone in accordance with the Algiers Agreements and its resolutions. The implications of giving in to Eritrea ’s behavior are far-reaching in terms of the respect that UN peacekeeping missions deserve from concerned parties and from UN member states. [The full text of the letters of Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin to Mr. Giadlla A. Ettalhi, President of the Security Council, and to Mr. Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General (18.1.2008) can be seen on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website www.mfa.gov.et]
On Monday, Prime Minister Meles met with a dozen ambassadors and heads of mission of the representatives of the Permanent and non-Permanent members of the UN Security Council. Those attending included the ambassadors of the five permanent members of the Security Council as well as the ambassador of Libya , which is holding the UN Security Council chairmanship this month; the Head of the UNMEE office in Addis Ababa was also present. The Prime Minister said he wished to underline and clarify Ethiopia ’s objections to the EEBC’s concept of “virtual demarcation”, pointing out that it was regarded by international lawyers and many diplomats as “legal nonsense”. He emphasized that the Security Council’s role in the Eritrea-Ethiopia peace process was to ensure the observance of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement and the integrity of the Temporary Security Zone set up under the Algiers Agreements; and UNMEE was set up to monitor these and support the demarcation process. The Prime Minister noted that the Security Council had, so far, failed to act over the continuous violation of the de-militarized Temporary Security Zone, the restrictions on UNMEE or over Eritrea ’s deliberate and long-term disruption of the integrity of the Algiers Agreements. The Security Council, in fact, was still apparently reluctant to act on clear-cut issues where it has a specific mandate under the Algiers Agreements. The Prime Minister wondered if this might be because some Security Council members thought that Eritrea was so belligerent and unpredictable that it needed to be treated with excessive care. However, he pointed out, the effect of Security Council inaction had been to penalize Ethiopia and in fact to appear to amend the Algiers Agreements unilaterally, without reference to either of the two parties involved. Ethiopia , he emphasized, had not violated the Algiers Agreements; Eritrea , however, has, and repeatedly so. Ethiopia, as required under international law, had given notice to Eritrea that it might be forced to withdraw from the Algiers Agreements, but this, the Prime Minister added, was a precautionary measure, and so far it had chosen not to take any such action. Nor would it do so unless pushed into a corner. The Prime Minister underlined yet again that Ethiopia would not respond to Eritrean provocation unless Eritrea launched a full-scale invasion. However, the Prime Minister noted, any endorsement of the EEBC’s “virtual demarcation” would mean that Ethiopia, very reluctantly, would have no alternative but to withdraw from the Algiers Agreements and cease co-operation with UNMEE. The Prime Minister repeated, yet again, that Ethiopia has fully accepted the Delimitation Decisions of the EEBC. It had not responded to Eritrea ’s complete violation of the TSZ despite the threat it posed to Ethiopia , nor to the continued provocations of Eritrean efforts to destabilize Ethiopia and the wider region, the arming and equipping of numerous terrorist groups. It would continue to co-operate with UNMEE.
The issue of fuel supplies for UNMEE will be high on these agendas following the decision of the Government of Eritrea to stop all diesel fuel for UNMEE. The UN Secretary-General has written to the Eritrean President asking him to reconsider this move. The Secretary-General emphasized that unless Eritrea immediately allows UNMEE to replenish fuel supplies or import from its own reserves in Ethiopia or from the United Nations Mission in Sudan , he might be forced to take steps to start the withdrawal of UNMEE. The Secretary General has himself also written to the Security Council over this ‘drastic measure’, and other recent actions by Eritrea , including its rejection of the offer of his good offices to assist the two parties to implement their legal obligations and normalize their relations. His letters appear to show considerable frustration with the continued obstructions imposed by the Eritrean Government. It mirrors Ethiopia ’s own letter of Notification to Eritrea on its material breaches of the Algiers Agreements.
The Secretary General this week also submitted his latest Report on Ethiopia and Eritrea to the President of the Security Council (S/2007/40). Dated 23.1.2008, it covers events since his previous report at the beginning of last November. It details the further deployment of Eritrean forces inside the demilitarized Temporary Security Zone, in violation of the Algiers Agreements. It notes further deployment of Eritrea military forces and tanks, of military training taking place inside the zone, and the building of fortifications and defenses in the zone. It itemizes 17 new camps being set up, as well as new checkpoints, 21 new bunkers and new trenches in the Central Sector. The Secretary-General notes a stoppage of UNMEE officials at gun point and the arrest of UNMEE personnel. There is a brief reference to Ethiopian military activities south of the Temporary Security Zone. The Secretary-General noted that Eritrea has continued to maintain all previous restrictions on UNMEE and, as he reported in his letter to the Security Council, also imposed fuel restrictions on the Mission . The ban on the use of helicopters remains, depriving UNMEE of critical capacity to carry out emergency medical evacuation. Eritrea also continues to refuse to accept UNMEE personnel from the USA and Canada and certain European countries.
The Secretary General repeats that the primary responsibility for resolving the border dispute and normalization of relations lies with the parties and his offer of good offices remains available. He also underlines the obligation of both parties to comply with the Algiers Agreements and the resolutions of the Security Council. In this context, he reminds both parties of the Security Council resolution 1767 (2007) which among other things demands that Eritrea immediately withdraw its troops and heavy military equipment from the Temporary Security Zone and reverse, without further delay or preconditions, all restrictions on UNMEE movements and operations to allow the Mission to effectively carry out its mandate. The Secretary-General reiterates his serious concern about Eritrea ’s stoppage of fuel for UNMEE, and the probability that this will mean the immobilization of Mission operations and enforce a relocation of staff and equipment. Because of this grave development, the Secretary-General makes an unusual recommendation to the Council: a one month technical roll-over of the mandate of UNMEE, rather than the more usual recommendation of a six month extension.
It is not the first time that Eritrea ’s actions have provided a serious threat to the integrity of UNMEE. In 2005, Security Council Resolution 1640 (2005) starts: “…Deeply deplores Eritrea’s continued imposition of restrictions on the freedom of movement of UNMEE and demands that the Government of Eritrea reverse, without further delay or preconditions, its decision to ban UNMEE helicopter flights, as well as additional restrictions imposed on the operations of UNMEE, and provide UNMEE with the access, assistance, support and protection required for the performance of its duties”. The resolution goes on to expresses the Council’s determination to consider further appropriate measures, including those available under Article 41 of the Charter of the United Nations, in the event of the failure of Eritrea to respond to this demand. The Council has continued to avoid resolute action against Eritrea despite Eritrea ’s defiance over the last three years. This inaction has encouraged Eritrea not only to hold UNMEE hostage but also to intensify its actions and threats against Ethiopia . Eritrea has practically demolished the Temporary Security Zone and deployed military forces and heavy equipment throughout the buffer zone. It continues to refuse any peaceful dialogue with Ethiopia and has rejected all initiatives of the Secretary General to assist the two countries resolve their dispute, demarcate the boundary and normalize relations.
Last weekend, Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin addressed letters to both the President of the Security Council and the UN Secretary-General. These reiterated Ethiopia ’s full acceptance of the Delimitation Decision of the 13 April 2002, and its desire to demarcate the border according to international norms and practices. The letters also noted that the EEBC’s view of “virtual demarcation” had no status in international law, was not binding and could only be considered a “legal fiction”. In his letter to the President of the Security Council, Foreign Minister Seyoum stressed that the most relevant factor now was that Eritrea was in breach of the Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities and had completely violated the demilitarized Temporary Security Zone. He noted that Ethiopia now expected the Security Council to exercise its authority to take appropriate measures against the party in violation of the provisions of the ceasefire agreement as provided in Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities. Ethiopia believes that the Security Council should now take resolute action to ensure respect for the Peacekeeping Mission, and restore the integrity of the zone in accordance with the Algiers Agreements and its resolutions. The implications of giving in to Eritrea ’s behavior are far-reaching in terms of the respect that UN peacekeeping missions deserve from concerned parties and from UN member states. [The full text of the letters of Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin to Mr. Giadlla A. Ettalhi, President of the Security Council, and to Mr. Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General (18.1.2008) can be seen on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website www.mfa.gov.et]
On Monday, Prime Minister Meles met with a dozen ambassadors and heads of mission of the representatives of the Permanent and non-Permanent members of the UN Security Council. Those attending included the ambassadors of the five permanent members of the Security Council as well as the ambassador of Libya , which is holding the UN Security Council chairmanship this month; the Head of the UNMEE office in Addis Ababa was also present. The Prime Minister said he wished to underline and clarify Ethiopia ’s objections to the EEBC’s concept of “virtual demarcation”, pointing out that it was regarded by international lawyers and many diplomats as “legal nonsense”. He emphasized that the Security Council’s role in the Eritrea-Ethiopia peace process was to ensure the observance of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement and the integrity of the Temporary Security Zone set up under the Algiers Agreements; and UNMEE was set up to monitor these and support the demarcation process. The Prime Minister noted that the Security Council had, so far, failed to act over the continuous violation of the de-militarized Temporary Security Zone, the restrictions on UNMEE or over Eritrea ’s deliberate and long-term disruption of the integrity of the Algiers Agreements. The Security Council, in fact, was still apparently reluctant to act on clear-cut issues where it has a specific mandate under the Algiers Agreements. The Prime Minister wondered if this might be because some Security Council members thought that Eritrea was so belligerent and unpredictable that it needed to be treated with excessive care. However, he pointed out, the effect of Security Council inaction had been to penalize Ethiopia and in fact to appear to amend the Algiers Agreements unilaterally, without reference to either of the two parties involved. Ethiopia , he emphasized, had not violated the Algiers Agreements; Eritrea , however, has, and repeatedly so. Ethiopia, as required under international law, had given notice to Eritrea that it might be forced to withdraw from the Algiers Agreements, but this, the Prime Minister added, was a precautionary measure, and so far it had chosen not to take any such action. Nor would it do so unless pushed into a corner. The Prime Minister underlined yet again that Ethiopia would not respond to Eritrean provocation unless Eritrea launched a full-scale invasion. However, the Prime Minister noted, any endorsement of the EEBC’s “virtual demarcation” would mean that Ethiopia, very reluctantly, would have no alternative but to withdraw from the Algiers Agreements and cease co-operation with UNMEE. The Prime Minister repeated, yet again, that Ethiopia has fully accepted the Delimitation Decisions of the EEBC. It had not responded to Eritrea ’s complete violation of the TSZ despite the threat it posed to Ethiopia , nor to the continued provocations of Eritrean efforts to destabilize Ethiopia and the wider region, the arming and equipping of numerous terrorist groups. It would continue to co-operate with UNMEE.
