UNMEE
United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea
UNMEE
United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea

UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea is withdrawn

On 30 July 2008, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 1827 terminating the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) with effect from the following day. The Council decision came in response to crippling restrictions imposed by Eritrea on UNMEE, as well as the cutting off of fuel supplies – making it impossible for the operation to continue carrying out its mandated tasks, and putting at risk the safety and security of UN personnel.

At the same time, the Security Council called on Ethiopia and Eritrea "to show maximum restraint and refrain from any threat or use of force against each other and to avoid provocative military activities".

Mine Risk Education

The challenge for UNMEE has been to make land safe for the resettlement of internally displaced people and refugees, and to free land in mined areas for agricultural use.

MACC teams help local populations identify and avoid contact with mines and UXOs. Mine risk education in rural communities includes lectures on safety procedures and what to do in emergency situations involving mines and UXOs. MACC’s Mine Risk Education programme reached nearly 53,000 people in Ethiopia and Eritrea during 2007. From January 2001 to January 2008, a total of 466,249 people received Mine Risk Education briefings.

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United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea

Established in 2000, UNMEE was mandated to monitor the ceasefire, support border security, and assist with demining and humanitarian efforts between Ethiopia and Eritrea.