In May of 1998, war broke out between Eritrea and Ethiopia over a boarder dispute. This war was triggered by the Eriteans after they broke an international law by invading Ethiopia . Eritrea and Ethiopia has had a difficult past with each other. For nearly thirty years, Eriteans have fought for their independence against Ethiopia . After Eritrea ’s separation, disputes over the boarders of several regions in the two countries have constantly been a problem. On one particular day in May of 1998, Eritrea ’s troops marched into the region of Badme thus starting a war between the two conflicting countries. The use of tanks and artillery came into play before the UN’s security council finally stepped in.
After air attacks started to be launched between the two cities, the Security Council adopted Resolution 1177. This resolution asked for statements to be made from both countries to end the air battles. This resolution also asked for the two countries to co-operate with the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) to find a common ground for both Ethiopia and Eritrea in their boarder disputes. Almost two years later in May of 2000, war broke out again between the two countries. The Security Council then proposed resolution 1297. This resolution expressed the council’s concern for the renewed fighting between Ethiopia and Eritrea . It demanded both countries to come up with a resolution to their conflicts and to stop all battles and military actions. A few days after resolution 1297, the Security Council proposed resolution 1298, which prevented the two countries from getting supply assistances for weapons and military equipments. It also stressed the UN’s support of the OAU.
The UN was successful in assisting Ethiopia and Eritrea for their boarder disagreements. In June of the year 2000, both countries agreed to a peace agreement for their disbutes and a Temporary Security Zone was made inside Eritrea . Resolution 1312 was proposed in July 31, 2000 to establish military observers within Ethiopia and Eritrea The reason for the establishment of these military observers, also known as the UNMEE was to assist in future peacekeeping operations, establish the Military Coordination Commission and liaison with the two groups, and more. Resolutions 1297 and 1298 helped end the fighting between Ethiopia and Eritrea . The two resolutions helped the two country move forward towards a possible resolution for their land disputes in the future. By stopping the war, the UN’s Security Council was successful in establishing a peaceful ground so that the two countries could work out an agreement for their boarders that have been the problem for the conflicts of both countries ever since Eritrea gained its independence.
Sources:
http://un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/past/unmee/background.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eritrean%E2%80%93Ethiopian_War
