Opinion
Is Eritrea Playing With Fire by Confronting the UN?
By
Feb 17, 2008 - 12:04:34 AM

by Scott A Morgan

Recent Actions by the Government of Eritrea show that it is Just as Frustrated with the United Nations as several other States in the Body. Unlike some Countries like the United States which reduces the amount of its Financial Contributions when it sees fit the Authorities in Asmara are using a different Tactic.  
 
In Recent Days the Eritrean Government has stopped shipment of Fuel Supplies and food  to the UN Peacekeeping Force that is patrolling the Border with Ethiopia. This force was set up after a Conflict during the 1990s over a border dispute. When the Hostilities ended a Line of Demarcation was drawn up by a Third Party. The said party just Happens to be the United States. Also as part of the Treaty ending the War a UN Peacekeeping Mission was set up. Earlier this Month the Mandate for the Mission was extended by the UN Security Council.
 
 In recent weeks both Countries have moved considerable forces to the border as tensions rise. Offficals within the UN have reported that the Peacekeepers have been reluctant to leave their bases due to the potential threat of renewed conflict. the Official Position of the Eritrean Government is that since it has Approved the Line of Demarcation then the Peacekeepers are no longer needed along the Border.  The Ethiopian Government did not accept the Ruling However.

The UN Peacekeepers have received orders to move to Ethiopia. And according to several reports from New York the Security Council will soon file a Formal Protest to Protest the Actions. Official Statements from Eritrea state that the UN is making "Unwarranted Statements" and "Distorting the Truth."  It also stated that Reports that the Peacekeepers were in Jeopardy were 'Unfounded." In an Emergency Session of the UN Security Council the President of the Council stated that Eritrea would be held responsible for the Safety of the Peacekeepers.

So what happens if the worst case scenario takes place and the UN Peacekeepers do suffer casualties at the hands of this "callous" action? well the easy answer is to request that the Members assist the Peacekeepers. This could be a simple as having Air Drops of Fuel and Rations to having Planes go in and Evacuate the Peacekeepers by Air. Some of the Peacekeepers have managed to move to Ethiopia by Truck in recent days. But with Fuel Supplies reportedly running low and hostile acts by the Eritrean Government may make this task more Difficult than it should be.  

There may be a Political Solution as well. Several Political Opposition Groups from Eritrea will meet next month in Addis Ababa. The Purpose of the Meeting will be to set up a Government-In-Exile. Having the "Government" that is being set up in the Capital of its Enemy and having it recgonized as a Legitimate Regime could be a viable option. Of course a Military Option that includes Air Strikes against select sites cannot be ruled out either. Whatever the course of Action the UN will do something to bring Asmara into line.

With the Disasterous Elections in Kenya and with the situations in Darfur, Somalia and the DRC in a state of flux, it is not conceivable for another conflict to break out in East Africa. There are Millions of Refugees already. No More are needed.