Initial deployment ofUN observers completed on Ethiopia/Eritrea border
25 September -- United Nations military observers are now in place in four locations on both sides of the border between Ethiopia and Eritrea, the UN said today.
The eight teams of observers from the newly authorized UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) have been in their forward operational sites since nightfall on Sunday, marking the successful launch of the Mission's second phase of operations, according to an UNMEE statement released in Asmara.
The 40 observers travelled by road and air transport to arrive at their respective sites simultaneously from Asmara, Eritrea, and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
On the Ethiopian side of the border, teams are positioned in Indra Silase, Adi Grat, Zalambesa and Manda. They have made initial contact with local military authorities, and started familiarizing themselves with the area, according to UNMEE. The Manda team has also begun conducting day patrols.
On the Eritrean side, the UN teams are in Barentu, Adi Quala, Adi Keyh and Asab. All have reported working communications systems and begun establishing contact with local military and civil authorities in their areas of operation, the Mission said.
The Security Council established UNMEE in July and has mandated it to assist in ensuring compliance with the 18 June Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities by monitoring the peace, the agreed positions of the respective sides and the temporary security zone. The three-phase plan of operations involves the deployment of up to 4,200 UN peacekeeping troops, including 220 military observers, as well as a civilian component.
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