United Nations Security Council Resolution 1507

UN Security Council
Resolution 1507
Date: 12 September 2003
Meeting no.: 4,822
Code: S/RES/1507 (Document)

Vote: For: 15 Abs.: 0 Against: 0
Subject: The situation between Eritrea and Ethiopia
Result: Adopted

Security Council composition in 2003:
permanent members:

 CHN  FRA  RUS  UK  USA

non-permanent members:
 ANG  BUL  CHI  CMR  ESP
 GER  GUI  MEX  PAK  SYR

Eritrea (orange) and Ethiopia (green)

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1507, adopted unanimously on September 12, 2003, after reaffirming all resolutions on the situation between Eritrea and Ethiopia, particularly Resolution 1466 (2003), the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) until March 15, 2004.[1]

The resolution was adopted after the Secretary-General Kofi Annan reported that both Ethiopia and Eritrea had failed to initiate a political dialogue, resulting in a "cold peace".[2] Both countries had agreed to recognise the new border demarcation though it had not been implemented.[3]

Contents

Resolution

Observations

The Security Council reaffirmed its support for the peace process between the two countries and of the role played by UNMEE in facilitating the implementation of the Algiers Agreement and decision by the Boundary Commission on the mutual border. The peace process was entering a crucial stage and the Council expressed concern at delays in the demarcation process, particularly the costs of operating UNMEE. There was concern at the continuing humanitarian crisis in both countries and the implications on the peace process. It demanded that both Ethiopia and Eritrea allow UNMEE complete freedom of movement and called for an end to incursions into the Temporary Security Zone (TSZ).

Acts

The resolution extended UNMEE's mandate at the current troop level of 4,200 in accordance with Resolution 1320 (2000). It called for the demarcation of the boundary to begin as scheduled by the Boundary Commission.[4] Both parties were urged to fulfil their commitments under the Algiers Agreement and co-operate with the Boundary Commission in order for it to fulfil its mandate.[5] The parties were further called upon to co-operate with UNMEE, protect United Nations personnel and establish an air corridor between the capitals of Addis Ababa and Asmara to facilitate the work of the operation and reduce additional costs.

The Council reaffirmed the importance of dialogue between the two countries and the normalisation of their diplomatic relations, while progress would be monitored. It welcomed contributions towards the demarcation process and called for further assistance from the international community.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Extending mandate of UN mission, Security Council calls on Ethiopia, Eritrea to co-operate with boundary commission". United Nations. September 12, 2003. http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2003/sc7869.doc.htm. 
  2. ^ Plaut, Martin (September 12, 2003). "UN to renew Ethiopia mandate". BBC News. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3103000.stm. 
  3. ^ Kamau, Rose (September 13, 2003). "UN renews peace mission in Ethiopia". Kenya Broadcasting Corporation. http://www.kbc.co.ke/story.asp?id=18583&categoryid=2. 
  4. ^ McCormack, T.; McDonald, Avril (2006). Yearbook of International Humanitarian Law - 2003, Volume 6; Volume 2003. Cambridge University Press. p. 273. ISBN 978-9067042031. 
  5. ^ Pratt, Martin (2006). "A Terminal Crisis? Examining the Breakdown of the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Dispute Resolution Process". Conflict Management and Peace Science 23 (4): 329–341. doi:10.1080/07388940600972669. http://cmp.sagepub.com/content/23/4/329. 

External links