UN focus on Ethiopia, Eritrea

2005-06-29 09:22

Asmara - United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has called for the Security Council to visit both Eritrea and Ethiopia to help solve their longstanding border deadlock, according to a UN statement.

Annan "has called on the Security Council to advance the resolution of the boundary dispute by visiting both Horn of Africa countries," said the statement published on Tuesday.

The statement said Annan was "deeply concerned over the recent shooting incidents in the Temporary Security Zone (TSZ) separating the two countries". There have been several shooting incidents on the border this year.

The two Horn of Africa countries fought a border war from 1998 to 2000. Under a peace accord in 2000, they promised to abide by the "final and binding" ruling on their border made by an independent boundary commission. But to this day, Ethiopia refuses to implement fully that ruling and demarcation has yet to begin.

Annan appealed to Ethiopia to return to the military positions held before 16 December 2004 by reversing the deployment of its armed forces near the border areas. In December, Ethiopia moved several thousand troops near the border in what it said was a "defensive" operation, the statement said.

"Mr Annan notes the absence of political dialogue between Eritrea and Ethiopia and emphasises its importance in achieving lasting peace," said the statement.

- AFP