- UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan today reacted angrily to the allegations presented by Eritrean authorities last week. These "verbal attacks" on the UN peacekeeping mission and the restrictions imposed on it could "endanger the lives of UN personnel and limit their effectiveness," Mr Annan responded.
- The Secretary-General is dismayed at the recent public attacks made by the Eritrean authorities against the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) and its staff, as well as the restrictions imposed on its operations, spokesman Fred Eckhard today told journalists at UN Headquarters in New York.
The UN troops allegedly were housing wanted Eritrean criminals, were into child prostitution and were spreading pornography, according to a statement by the Asmara Ministry of Foreign Affairs. All in all, UNMEE now had become a "grave danger" to the "peace and stability of the people and government of Eritrea, as well as the security and stability of our region," the Eritreans concluded.
Mr Annan today joined earlier negative UN reactions over the Eritrean outburst, saying Eritrea and Ethiopia to engage constructively with the UN mission in the region. UNMEE had investigated each allegation made against its staff, had taken action and had shared the outcomes, where appropriate, with the government of Eritrea, Mr Annan's spokesman said.
- However, the tone and scope of the recent unfortunate statements made by the Eritrean authorities can seriously impact on the effectiveness of the Mission in the performance of its mandated tasks, and could also endanger the security of its personnel, Mr Eckhard added.
The UN Secretary-General hoped that both parties - and in particular the government of Eritrea - would now allow UNMEE the "indispensable freedom of movement and the necessary cooperation" to carry out the mandate given it by the Algiers peace agreements of December 2000 and several UN Security Council resolutions, Mr Eckhard said.
UNMEE Force Commander, Major-General Robert Gordon, made it clear that his peacekeeping mission earlier this needed renewed outspoken support from the governments of the two countries. He demanded clear words of support from the Eritrean government to remain his troops at the Eritrean-Ethiopian border.
In an immediate reaction to the Eritrean statement, UNMEE representatives said that: When a guest is no longer welcome in a house, it is the prerogative of the host to decide what to do next." These statements were understood as an ultimatum to the Eritrean government.
The UN peacekeeping mission was established after the 1998-2000 Ethiopian-Eritrean border war, which is believed to have killed up to 100,000 persons. The UN, US and EU helped negotiate a peace, but its implementation has been met with resistance, especially since a court ruling on the final border last year proved favourable to Eritrea.
While Ethiopia still refuses to acknowledge last year's border settlement, the Eritrean government has grown increasingly frustrated. Authorities in Asmara have accused the African Union (AU) of not living up to its duties as one of the guarantors of the peace and in November last year recalled their ambassador to the AU. Eritrea also recently denied a UN emissary entrance to the country, fearing he would propose changes to the border ruling.
At UN headquarters, patience is running out. The UN Security Council only last week called on Eritrea and Ethiopia to cooperate with UN emissaries and with one another in demarcating a boundary between the two countries, criticising the two foes for the lack of progress towards peace. The Security Council nevertheless extended the mandate of the peacekeeping mission in the frontier area until 15 September.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
front page
| news
| countries
| archive
| currencies
| news alerts login
| about afrol News
| contact
| advertise
| español