From: Biniam Tekle (biniamt@dehai.org)
Date: Thu Jul 31 2008 - 21:41:47 EDT
Ban dispatches UN team to assess Djibouti-Eritrea border situation
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
31 July 2008 – A fact-finding mission dispatched by Secretary-General Ban
Ki-moon has arrived in the Horn of Africa to assess the political, security
and humanitarian situation along the border between Djibouti and Eritrea, in
light of the recent tensions there.
Eritrean military action against Djibouti in Ras Doumeira and Doumeira
Island in early June left several people dead and dozens wounded. The
clashes prompted calls from Mr. Ban and the Security Council for the two
neighbouring countries to commit to a ceasefire and withdraw their forces to
the status quo ante.
The situation along the joint border was recently reported to be calm but
tense, with military regrouping occurring on both sides and a de facto
ceasefire continuing to hold.
The mission – which was sent in response to a request by the Security
Council – is being led by the Department of Political Affairs (DPA) and
includes representatives from the Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations
(DPKO).
Members of the team convened yesterday in the Ethiopian capital, Addis
Ababa, where they are scheduled to meet with the African Union (AU), the
Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and other partners.
The team will then head to Djibouti, where it will hold meetings with
civilian and military authorities and conduct a field visit to the border
area to collect information about recent incidents.
The mission is expected to complete its work on 6 August and submit a report
to the Secretary-General upon its return.
----[This List to be used for Eritrea Related News Only]----