United Nations Security Council Resolution 1531 – Situation between Eritrea and Ethiopia
Resolution 1531 (2004)
The Security Council,
Reaffirming all its previous resolutions and statements pertaining to thesituation between Ethiopia and Eritrea, and the requirements contained therein,including in particular resolution 1507 (2003) of 12 September 2003,
Reiterating its support for the peace process and its unwaivering commitment,including through the role played by the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia andEritrea (UNMEE), to the full and expeditious implementation of the ComprehensivePeace Agreement signed by the Governments of Ethiopia and Eritrea (hereinafterreferred to as “the parties”) on 12 December 2000 and the preceding Agreement onthe Cessation of Hostilities of 18 June 2000 (S/2000/1183 and S/2000/601,respectively, hereinafter referred to as the “Algiers Agreements”), and the delimitation decision by the Boundary Commission of 13 April 2002 (S/2002/423),embraced by the parties as final and binding in accordance with the Algiers Agreements,
Noting with concern the continuing impasse in the peace process, mainly dueto the lack of progress in the demarcation of the border,
Taking note with concern of the Twelfth report on the work of the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission of 27 February 2004, in particular its conclusion that under the present circumstances the Commission is unable to progress with demarcation activities,
Expressing its concern about Ethiopia’s rejection of significant parts of theBoundary Commission’s decision, and its current lack of cooperation with theBoundary Commission,
Expressing disappointment also about Eritrea’s refusal at present to engagewith the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Ethiopia and Eritrea,
Emphasizing that cooperation with the Special Envoy offers both parties aconcrete opportunity to move the peace process forward,
Recognizing the increasing demand for United Nations peacekeeping andresources from the international community for peacekeeping and peace-building purposes, and recalling the additional operational costs due to the delays in thedemarcation process,
Expressing its support for the Special Representative of the Secretary-Generaland for UNMEE,
Having considered the report of the Secretary-General (S/2004/180), and fullysupporting the observations made therein,
- Decides to extend the mandate of UNMEE at the troop and militaryobserver levels authorized by its resolution 1320 (2000) of 15 September 2000, until15 September 2004;
2. Strongly urges the parties once again to cooperate fully and expeditiouslywith UNMEE in the implementation of its mandate, and to step up its efforts toensure the security of all UNMEE staff, and reiterates in the strongest terms itsdemand that the parties allow UNMEE full freedom of movement and remove withimmediate effect and without preconditions any and all restrictions on, andimpediments to the work of, UNMEE and its staff in the discharge of their mandate;
3. Stresses that the primary responsibility for implementation of the AlgiersAgreements and the decision of the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission lies withboth parties;
4. Calls on the parties to cooperate fully and promptly with the BoundaryCommission, and to create the necessary conditions for demarcation to proceedexpeditiously, including through the unequivocal restating of Ethiopia’s acceptanceof the Boundary Commission’s decision, the appointment by Ethiopia of fieldliaison officers, and the payment of its dues to the Boundary Commission;
5. Reaffirms the crucial importance of a political dialogue between the twocountries for the completion of the peace process and the consolidation of progressachieved so far, and urges both parties to normalize their relations, includingthrough confidence-building measures, and to refrain from any threat or use of forceagainst each other;
6. Reiterates its support for the initiative of the Secretary-General toexercise his good offices by appointing a Special Envoy, in order to facilitate theimplementation of the Algiers Agreements, the decision of the Boundary Commission, and the relevant resolutions and decisions of the Security Council, andto encourage the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries,and emphasizes that this appointment does not constitute an alternative mechanism;
7. Expresses its full support for the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy forEthiopia and Eritrea, Lloyd Axworthy, stresses that the Special Envoy enjoys theunanimous support of the witnesses to the Algiers Agreements, namely the United Nations, the United States of America, Algeria, the African Union, and theEuropean Union, and urges both parties, in particular the government of Eritrea, toengage constructively and without further delay with the Special Envoy;
8. Urges both parties once again to establish expeditiously a direct high-altitude flight route between Asmara and Addis Ababa to relieve the unnecessary additional cost to UNMEE and member States;
9. Decides to monitor closely the steps taken by the parties in theimplementation of their commitments under the Algiers Agreements, includingthrough the Boundary Commission, and to review any implications for UNMEE;
10. Requests the Secretary-General to monitor the situation closely and tokeep under review the mission’s effectiveness, and to adjust and streamline themission’s operations as needed, taking into account also the mandate of UNMEE as outlined in paragraph 2 of resolution 1320 (2000);
11. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.
Adopted by the Security Council at its 4924th meeting, on12 March 2004.
