UN mission to relocate unless Eritrea lifts fuel restrictions in next two days
4 February 2008 - Given the critical fuel levels impeding the work of the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE),
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said the mission will start relocating from Eritrea if that country's Government does
not lift its restrictions by Wednesday.
In a letter sent to the Security Council last Friday, Mr. Ban pointed out that the Mission's fuel stocks will run out in
the coming few days, leaving only the strategic reserves, which are intended exclusively for emergency evacuation
purposes.
The Secretary-General said that if the Eritrean authorities do not reinstate the fuel supplies by 6 February, he will be
compelled to instruct UNMEE to begin relocating the mission personnel and equipment from Eritrea, to avoid a total
immobilization of the Mission and endangering the safety and security of UN personnel.
UNMEE, which has been monitoring the 2000 ceasefire that ended the border war between the two countries, has not been
able to obtain fresh supplies of fuel in Eritrea since 1 December last year, according to the acting head of the
Mission.
"These restrictions are paralyzing the mission and its movements and making the living conditions of our civilian and
military staff on the ground extremely difficult," Azouz Ennifar said just over a week ago.
Last week, as it extended the Mission's mandate for a further six months, the Council demanded that the Eritrean
Government "resumes immediately fuel shipments to UNMEE or allows UNMEE to import fuel without restrictions."
The 15-member body today once again voiced its concern about the fact that the fuel restrictions have not yet been
lifted. In a statement read out to the press by Ambassador Ricardo Alberto Arias of Panama, which holds the rotating
presidency this month, the Council reiterated its demand that Eritrea "forthwith and without preconditions lifts its
restrictions on fuel deliveries so that UNMEE be in a position to execute its extended mandate."
The Council also requested Eritrea to facilitate a UN technical assessment mission which is due to depart for the region
tomorrow.
ENDS