S/RES/1586 (2005)
Security Council Distr.: General
14 March 2005
05-26991 (E)
*0526991*
Resolution 1586 (2005)
Adopted by the Security Council at its 5139th meeting, on
14 March 2005
The Security Council,
Reaffirming all its previous resolutions and statements pertaining to the
situation between Ethiopia and Eritrea, and the requirements contained therein,
including in particular resolution 1560 (2004) of 14 September 2004,
Stressing its unwavering commitment to the peace process, including through
the role played by the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE),
and to the full and expeditious implementation of the Comprehensive peace
agreement signed by the Governments of Ethiopia and Eritrea (hereinafter referred
to as “the parties”) on 12 December 2000 and the preceding Agreement on the
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/2000/423), embraced by the
parties as final and binding in accordance with the Algiers Agreements,
Welcoming the Secretary-General’s determination that UNMEE has been able
to maintain the integrity of the Temporary Security Zone (TSZ),
Expressing concern regarding the recent high concentration of Ethiopian
troops in the areas adjacent to the TSZ,
Recalling that lasting peace between Ethiopia and Eritrea as well as in the
region cannot be achieved without the full demarcation of the border between the
parties,
Seriously concerned with the Commission’s decision to take immediate steps
to close down its field offices, due to the lack of progress made in the demarcation
of the border, as reflected in the 16th report on the work of the Eritrea-Ethiopia
Boundary Commission of 24 February 2005,
Expressing concern about Ethiopia’s ongoing rejection of significant parts of
the Boundary Commission’s decision, and its current lack of cooperation with the
Commission, including the refusal to participate in the meeting of 22 February
2005,
Expressing disappointment about the continuing refusal of Eritrea to engage
with the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Ethiopia and Eritrea, whose good
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offices represent a concrete opportunity for both parties to move the peace process
forward,
Recalling the recent increase in United Nations peacekeeping activities and the
need to allocate peacekeeping resources in the most effective manner, and recalling
in this regard the additional burden caused by the delays in the demarcation process,
Welcoming Eritrea’s unconditional acceptance of the Boundary Commission’s
decision,
Welcoming Ethiopia’s Five point proposal of 25 November 2004,
Having considered the report of the Secretary-General (S/2005/142) and
welcoming the observations made therein,
1. Decides to extend the present mandate of UNMEE until 15 September
2005;
2. Calls on both parties to refrain from any increase of troops in the areas
adjacent to the Temporary Security Zone, to give serious consideration to returning
to the 16 December 2004 levels of deployment and more generally, to refrain from
any threat of use of force against each other;
3. Calls on both parties to cooperate fully and expeditiously with UNMEE
in the implementation of its mandate, to ensure the security of all UNMEE staff, and
to remove immediately and unconditionally all restrictions on and impediments to
the work and to the full and free movement of UNMEE and its staff;
4. Takes note of positive developments in some areas of relations between
UNMEE and both parties, and in this regard urges Eritrea to take immediate steps,
in consultation with UNMEE, towards implementing the direct flights between
Addis Ababa and Asmara; also calls upon Eritrea to reopen the Asmara to Barentu
road;
5. Stresses that Ethiopia and Eritrea have the primary responsibility for the
implementation of the Algiers Agreements and the decision of the Eritrea-Ethiopia
Boundary Commission and calls upon both parties to show leadership to achieve a
full normalization of their relationship, including through political dialogue for the
adoption of further confidence-building measures and to consolidate progress
achieved so far, by making full use of the existing framework of the Boundary
Commission;
6. Reiterates its call on the parties to cooperate fully and promptly with the
Boundary Commission and to create the necessary conditions for demarcation to
proceed expeditiously, including through the complete appointment by Ethiopia of
its field liaison officers;
7. Calls on Ethiopia without preconditions to start the implementation of
demarcation, by taking the necessary steps to enable the Commission to demarcate
the border completely and promptly;
8. Expresses its concern at the worsening humanitarian situation in Ethiopia
and Eritrea and the implications this could have for the peace process and calls on
Member States to continue to provide prompt and generous support for humanitarian
operations in Ethiopia and Eritrea;
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9. Reiterates its full support for the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for
Ethiopia and Eritrea, Lloyd Axworthy, in his efforts to facilitate the implementation
of the Algiers Agreements, the decision of the Boundary Commission and
normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries through his good
offices, and emphasizes that this appointment does not constitute an alternative
mechanism;
10. Calls on Eritrea to accept the good offices of the Secretary-General and
cooperate with his Special Envoy for Ethiopia and Eritrea;
11. Calls on the witnesses to the Algiers Agreements to play a more
concerted and active role to facilitate their full implementation;
12. Decides to continue monitoring closely the steps taken by the parties in
the implementation of their commitments under the relevant resolutions of the
Security Council and under the Algiers Agreements, including through the
Boundary Commission, and to review any implications for UNMEE;
13. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to monitor the situation
closely, to review the mission’s mandate in the light of progress made in the peace
process and changes made to UNMEE;
14. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.