State of Eritrea
Commission for Coordination with the UN Peacekeeping Mission

14 May 2001
CCPM/054/01
Press Release

Results of the Inquiry into the Incident on the Maeraba to Mai Aini Road

On 5 May 2001, UNMEE issued a statement alleging restriction of its freedom of movement on the Mendefera to Tserona road, which, it claimed, was a main supply and access route to the TSZ. The Commission initiated an inquiry into the matter. On 9 May 2001, the Commission issued a statement asserting that "no UNMEE vehicle tried to use the Mendefera to Tserona road on May 3" and that "UNMEE has never used the said Mendefera to Tserona road to access the TSZ." At the same time, the Commission stated its intention to verify if there was any such incident outside the Mendefera to Tserona road.

Meanwhile, UNMEE released a second statement on 10 May 2001, acknowledging its error in misstating the location of the restriction as on the Mendefera to Tserona road rather than the Dekemhare to Tserona road. Moreover, UNMEE stated that it welcomed the Commission's announced intention to verify the incident and looked forward to receiving the results of the inquiry. The Commission has now completed its verification and following are its findings.

There is one direct road linking Dekemhare to Tserona via Mai Idaga and Mai Aini. This direct road links Dekemhare to Tserona on a north-south axis and has been the main supply and access route used by UNMEE. There was no incident on this road on 3 May 2001 as alleged by UNMEE's second statement.

There was, however, an incident at an EDF checkpoint in the area of Tekelebi (grid location 142446) involving an UNMEE convoy. This EDF checkpoint, guarding a restricted military zone, is located at the intersection of the Maeraba and Quatit roads to Mai Aini, well outside the TSZ. UNMEE had never used this road as a main supply or access route to the TSZ.

On 3 May 2001, at approximately 10:00 hours, a convoy of three UNMEE vehicles (two armored vehicles with registration numbers KM2373, KM8303 and a tanker with registration number KM2511) sped past the checkpoint from the Maeraba road ignoring attempts by EDF soldiers manning the checkpoint to slow down and stop them. The EDF soldiers noted the registration numbers of the vehicles with the intent to report the violation.

Again, at around 14:00 hours as the two armored vehicles were returning, EDF soldiers stopped the vehicles and informed the UNMEE officers that they were trying to enter a restricted area. The EDF soldier at the scene informed the UNMEE officers that the vehicles must return to Mai Aini and travel directly north to Dekemhare via Mai Idaga on the main route.

At this point, the UNMEE officer ordered one of the UNMEE vehicles to drive past the checkpoint by driving around the barrier. The vehicle had not been given clearance to do so. The EDF soldier was overwhelmed by the forced attempt to circumvent the checkpoint and was provoked to fire a single warning shot into the air. The UNMEE vehicle attempting to pass without clearance halted.

The EDF soldier informed the UNMEE officers that they were free to return to Mai Aini and use the direct route to Dekemhare, which UNMEE had always used. The UNMEE vehicles subsequently returned to Mai Aini.

The Commission regrets that a warning shot had to be fired and has requested that an appropriate disciplinary action be taken against the soldier responsible. At the same time, the Commission cannot help but note that such an unfortunate incident should, and could, have been avoided by respect for Eritrea's regulations outside the TSZ and simply stopping at the checkpoint.

Indeed, this unfortunate incident seems to have been triggered by a breach in UNMEE's pledge to respect Eritrean checkpoints outside the TSZ on account of orders to ignore and just speed through them. The Commission has lodged repeated protests to UNMEE regarding cases in which UNMEE convoys sped through checkpoints and had reached an understanding with UNMEE that all vehicles are required to stop at checkpoints outside the TSZ.

The Commission is reassured by the Force Commander's subsequent assurance that he has now rescinded the order to ignore Eritrean checkpoints outside the TSZ. The Commission wishes to reiterate Eritrea's commitment to guarantee and facilitate complete freedom of movement for UNMEE within the TSZ and through the main supply and access routes to the TSZ. The Commission maintains that movement outside the TSZ and within restricted military zones require observance of the necessary procedures, such as notification.

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