UNITED NATIONS, January 16, 2009 — The UN Security Council on Wednesday gave Eritrea five weeks to withdraw its forces from a contested area along its border with Djibouti and demanded that it start talks with its neighbor for a mutually acceptable settlement of the dispute.

The 15-member body unanimously adopted a resolution demanding that Eritrea "withdraw its forces and all their equipment to the positions of the status quo ante, and ensure that no military presence or activity is being pursued in the area where the conflict occurred in Ras Doumeira and Doumeira island" last June.

Resolution 1862 also enjoined Asmara to "acknowledge its border dispute in Ras Doumeira and Doumeira Island, engage in dialogue to defuse the tension and engage also in diplomatic efforts leading to a mutually acceptable settlement of the border issue."

The resolution, drafted by France, demanded that Eritrea "comply immediately" with its demands and "in any case, no later than five weeks after the adoption of this resolution."

It welcomed the fact that Djibouti withdrew its forces from the disputed areas as requested by the council last June and condemns Asmara's refusal to do so.

The council said it would review the situation six weeks from the adoption of this resolution on the basis of a report "on the compliance by both parties with their obligations" to be submitted by UN chief Ban Ki-moon six weeks from now.

Last October, the United States had warned Eritrea that it faced "appropriate action" from the council if it refused to cooperate to resolve its border dispute with Djibouti peacefully.

The long-running border row between Djibouti and Eritrea over the disputed Ras Doumeira promontory on the shores of the Red Sea flared up last June after previous clashes in 1996 and 1999.

The clashes have assumed a greater strategic significance because both France and the United States have bases in Djibouti, a former French colony.

The United States has more than 1,200 troops stationed in Djibouti, which hosts an anti-terrorism task force in the Horn of Africa.

Source: AFP

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