File:Reminder (3171433666).jpg

This U.N. vehicle at our hotel is a reminder that parts of northern Ethiopia have been the scene of armed hostilities between Ethiopia and its neighbor to the north, Eritrea.

U.N. forces, including pilots from South America, were stationed at our hotel in Axum.

The history of conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea is too complex and contentious to describe here.

However, a brief description of the U.N.'s mission there, which has since ended, is in order.

According to the U.N.'s Web site,

"In June 2000, after two years of fighting in a border dispute, Ethiopia and Eritrea signed a cessation of hostilities agreement following proximity talks led by Algeria and the Organization of African Unity."

"In July, the Security Council set up UNMEE [United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea] to maintain liaison with the parties and establish a mechanism for verifying the ceasefire. In September 2000, the Council authorized UNMEE to monitor the cessation of hostilities and to help ensure the observance of security commitments."

www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unmee/index.html

For more information about the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea, visit the UNMEE's Home Page at: