United Nations Security Council Resolution 1640
Encyclopedia
United Nations
Security Council Resolution
1640, adopted unanimously on November 23, 2005, after reaffirming all resolutions on the situation between Eritrea
and Ethiopia
, particularly Resolution 1622
(2005), the Council demanded that Eritrea lift restrictions on the movement of the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea
(UNMEE).
The resolution was passed after the Security Council threatened sanctions on both countries if war broke out. Ethiopian troops briefly breached the demilitarised zone and Eritrea dismissed the resolution as a reflection of "the narrow interests of [the world's] major powers".
that implications for UNMEE's ability to carry out its mandate
. It was alarmed by such measures and their impact on the maintenance of peace and security between Eritrea and Ethiopia.
The Security Council reaffirmed the role of the Temporary Security Zone (TSZ) as provided for in the Algiers Agreement
, and stressed that peace could not be achieved without the demarcation of their mutual border. There was also concern at the failure of the Ethiopian government to accept the binding decision of the boundary commission, and the high concentration of troops on both sides of the TSZ.
was requested to report within 40 days on compliance with Security Council demands.
The resolution concluded by urging Ethiopia to accept the decision of the Ethiopia-Eritrea Boundary Commission, and welcoming efforts of UNMEE troop-contributing countries.
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"....
1640, adopted unanimously on November 23, 2005, 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 1622
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1622
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1622, adopted unanimously on September 13, 2005, after reaffirming all resolutions on the situation between Eritrea and Ethiopia, particularly Resolution 1586 , the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea until...
(2005), the Council demanded that Eritrea lift restrictions on the movement 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).
The resolution was passed after the Security Council threatened sanctions on both countries if war broke out. Ethiopian troops briefly breached the demilitarised zone and Eritrea dismissed the resolution as a reflection of "the narrow interests of [the world's] major powers".
Observations
In the preamble of the resolution, the Council expressed concern at the Eritrean government's decision to restrict the movement of UNMEE in Eritrea from October 5, 2005, and additional limitations on its freedom of movementFreedom of movement
Freedom of movement, mobility rights or the right to travel is a human right concept that the constitutions of numerous states respect...
that implications for UNMEE's ability to carry out its mandate
Mandate (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....
. It was alarmed by such measures and their impact on the maintenance of peace and security between Eritrea and Ethiopia.
The Security Council reaffirmed the role of the Temporary Security Zone (TSZ) as provided for in the Algiers Agreement
Algiers 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 stressed that peace could not be achieved without the demarcation of their mutual border. There was also concern at the failure of the Ethiopian government to accept the binding decision of the boundary commission, and the high concentration of troops on both sides of the TSZ.
Acts
The Council condemned restrictions placed by Eritrea on its UNMEE mission, and demanded their full reversal. It called on both Ethiopia and Eritrea to exercise restraint and refrain from threats and the use of force, and to return their deployment of forces to December 16, 2004 levels. The Secretary-General Kofi AnnanKofi Annan
Kofi Atta Annan is a Ghanaian diplomat who served as the seventh Secretary-General of the UN from 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2006...
was requested to report within 40 days on compliance with Security Council demands.
The resolution concluded by urging Ethiopia to accept the decision of the Ethiopia-Eritrea Boundary Commission, and welcoming efforts of UNMEE troop-contributing countries.
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 1601 to 1700 (2005 – 2006)