United Nations Security Council Resolution 1466
Encyclopedia
United Nations
Security Council Resolution
1466, adopted unanimously on March 14, 2003, after reaffirming all resolutions on the situation between Eritrea
and Ethiopia
, particularly Resolution 1434
(2002), the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea
(UNMEE) until September 15, 2003.
and decision by the Boundary Commission on the mutual border. It welcomed progress made by both Ethiopia and Eritrea in the peace process and urged both countries to fulfil their obligations under international law
, including international humanitarian
, refugee
and human rights
law. The peace process was entering a crucial stage and the Council expressed concern at violations of the model Status of Forces Agreement
signed by Ethiopia and agreed by Eritrea; it stressed that peace would be achieved through the implementation of the Algiers Agreement and decisions of the Boundary Commission.
at the current troop level of 4,200 in accordance with Resolution 1320
(2000). Both parties were urged to fulfil their commitments under the Algiers Agreement and fully implement Boundary Commission decisions, as concern was expressed at incursions into the southern boundary of the Temporary Security Zone. The parties were further called upon to co-operate with UNMEE, protect United Nations personnel and their freedom of movement
, and establish an air corridor
between the capitals of Addis Ababa
and Asmara
to reduce the costs of the mission.
The Council affirmed the capability of UNMEE to monitor compliance by Ethiopia and Eritrea with their responsibilities, and noted its education and demining
efforts. The two parties were urged to continue discussions on territorial transfers, inform their populations about the demarcation process and its consequences, and refrain from unilateral troop and population movements or establishment of settlements near the Ethiopia-Eritrea border. The Council would review progress in the implementation of the aforementioned commitments and responsibilities and determine any implications for UNMEE.
The resolution expressed concern at the continuing drought
and humanitarian situation in both countries and called upon both countries to adopt confidence-building measures and measures to normalise their diplomatic relations.
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Security Council Resolution
United Nations Security Council Resolution
A United Nations Security Council resolution is a UN resolution adopted by the fifteen members of the Security Council; the UN body charged with "primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security"....
1466, adopted unanimously on March 14, 2003, after reaffirming all resolutions on the situation between Eritrea
Eritrea
Eritrea , officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa. Eritrea derives it's name from the Greek word Erethria, meaning 'red land'. The capital is Asmara. It is bordered by Sudan in the west, Ethiopia in the south, and Djibouti in the southeast...
and Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
, particularly Resolution 1434
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1434
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1434, adopted unanimously on September 6, 2002, after reaffirming all resolutions on the situation between Eritrea and Ethiopia, particularly Resolution 1430 , the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea until...
(2002), the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea
United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea
The United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea was established by the United Nations Security Council in July 2000 to monitor a ceasefire in the border war that began in 1998 between Ethiopia and Eritrea....
(UNMEE) until September 15, 2003.
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 AgreementAlgiers Agreement (2000)
The Algiers Agreement was an agreement between the governments of Eritrea and Ethiopia signed on December 12, 2000, at Algiers, Algeria to end the Eritrean-Ethiopian War, a border war fought by the two countries from 1998 to 2000...
and decision by the Boundary Commission on the mutual border. It welcomed progress made by both Ethiopia and Eritrea in the peace process and urged both countries to fulfil their obligations under international law
International law
Public international law concerns the structure and conduct of sovereign states; analogous entities, such as the Holy See; and intergovernmental organizations. To a lesser degree, international law also may affect multinational corporations and individuals, an impact increasingly evolving beyond...
, including international humanitarian
International humanitarian law
International humanitarian law , often referred to as the laws of war, the laws and customs of war or the law of armed conflict, is the legal corpus that comprises "the Geneva Conventions and the Hague Conventions, as well as subsequent treaties, case law, and customary international law." It...
, refugee
Refugee
A refugee is a person who outside her country of origin or habitual residence because she has suffered persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or because she is a member of a persecuted 'social group'. Such a person may be referred to as an 'asylum seeker' until...
and human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
law. The peace process was entering a crucial stage and the Council expressed concern at violations of the model Status of Forces Agreement
Status of Forces Agreement
A status of forces agreement is an agreement between a host country and a foreign nation stationing forces in that country. SOFAs are often included, along with other types of military agreements, as part of a comprehensive security arrangement...
signed by Ethiopia and agreed by Eritrea; it stressed that peace would be achieved through the implementation of the Algiers Agreement and decisions of the Boundary Commission.
Acts
The resolution extended UNMEE's mandateMandate (international law)
In international law, a mandate is a binding obligation issued from an inter-governmental organization like the United Nations to a country which is bound to follow the instructions of the organization....
at the current troop level of 4,200 in accordance with Resolution 1320
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1320
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1320, adopted unanimously on September 15, 2000, after reaffirming resolutions 1298 , 1308 and 1312 on the situation between Eritrea and Ethiopia, and 1308 , the Council deployed a military component as part of the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and...
(2000). Both parties were urged to fulfil their commitments under the Algiers Agreement and fully implement Boundary Commission decisions, as concern was expressed at incursions into the southern boundary of the Temporary Security Zone. The parties were further called upon to co-operate with UNMEE, protect United Nations personnel and their freedom of movement
Freedom of movement
Freedom of movement, mobility rights or the right to travel is a human right concept that the constitutions of numerous states respect...
, and establish an air corridor
Air corridor
An air corridor is a designated region of airspace that an aircraft must remain in during its transit through a given region. Air corridors are typically imposed by military or diplomatic requirements...
between the capitals of Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia...
and Asmara
Asmara
Asmara is the capital city and largest settlement in Eritrea, home to a population of around 579,000 people...
to reduce the costs of the mission.
The Council affirmed the capability of UNMEE to monitor compliance by Ethiopia and Eritrea with their responsibilities, and noted its education and demining
Demining
Demining or mine clearance is the process of removing either land mines, or naval mines, from an area, while minesweeping describes the act of detecting of mines. There are two distinct types of mine detection and removal: military and humanitarian.Minesweepers use many tools in order to accomplish...
efforts. The two parties were urged to continue discussions on territorial transfers, inform their populations about the demarcation process and its consequences, and refrain from unilateral troop and population movements or establishment of settlements near the Ethiopia-Eritrea border. The Council would review progress in the implementation of the aforementioned commitments and responsibilities and determine any implications for UNMEE.
The resolution expressed concern at the continuing drought
Drought
A drought is an extended period of months or years when a region notes a deficiency in its water supply. Generally, this occurs when a region receives consistently below average precipitation. It can have a substantial impact on the ecosystem and agriculture of the affected region...
and humanitarian situation in both countries and called upon both countries to adopt confidence-building measures and measures to normalise their diplomatic relations.
See also
- BadmeBadmeBadme is a town in the Horn of Africa and the focus of a territorial dispute between Eritrea and Ethiopia. It is claimed by both Eritrea, which considers Badme to be a part of Gash-Barka Zone, and Ethiopia, which considers Badme part of the Mirabawi Zone of the Tigray Region. This dispute was the...
- Eritrean–Ethiopian War
- List of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1401 to 1500 (2002 – 2003)