With fuel stocks restricted, UN mission prepares to relocate from Eritrea

The United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) is moving to relocate as fuel stocks dwindle because of restrictions imposed by the Asmara Government, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today.

“The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the critical crisis facing the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) as a result of the stoppage of diesel fuel supplies to the Mission by the Government of Eritrea since 1 December 2007,” a spokesperson for Mr. Ban said in a statement.

On 21 January, Mr. Ban wrote to Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki seeking his urgent intervention to resolve the situation, but the fuel supplies were not reinstated and UNMEE has not received the authorization to import fuel directly.

When fuel stocks run out in the coming few days, the mission “will be immobilized and rendered unable to carry out its critical functions.”

In today’s statement, the Secretary-General voiced particular concern about the safety and security of UNMEE personnel, especially those deployed in remote sites where they depend solely on generators for energy to power communications and to preserve food and medical supplies.

If fuel supplies are not reinstated by 6 February 2008, Mr. Ban will instruct UNMEE to begin relocating the Mission’s personnel and equipment from Eritrea, on a temporary basis.

“The Secretary-General emphasizes that the temporary relocation of the Mission’s personnel is a contingency measure forced by the restrictions imposed on UNMEE by the Eritrean authorities, which are endangering the safety and security of the Mission’s personnel,” the spokesperson said, adding that this is without prejudice to the 2000 agreement ending hostilities between Ethiopia and Eritrea.

He strongly appeals to Eritrea to cooperate fully with UNMEE, and urges both countries “to avoid any action which could undermine the cessation of hostilities between them.”

Today’s statement echoed views expressed by Mr. Ban in a letter he sent to the Security Council last Friday.

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.”

On Monday, the Council once again voiced its concern about the fuel restrictions 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.