Security Council

5908^th Meeting (Night)

SECURITY COUNCIL CONDEMNS ERITREA’S MILITARY ACTION OF 10 JUNE

AGAINST DJIBOUTI, URGES PARTIES TO COMMIT TO CEASEFIRE

Condemning Eritrea’s military action against Djibouti two days ago along the border region between the two Horn of Africa nations, the Security Council this evening called on both parties to commit to a ceasefire and urged Eritrea in particular to show maximum restraint and withdraw its forces from the area.

In a statement read by the Council President for the month, Zalmay Khalilzad of the United States, the Council expressed its strong concern about the serious incidents that occurred on 10 June along the frontier between Djibouti and Eritrea, which had led to several deaths and dozens of wounded in and around Ras Doumeira and Doumeira Island.

The Council urged both parties to cooperate and engage in diplomatic efforts to resolve the matter peacefully and in a manner consistent with international law.  The Council called on the parties, particularly Eritrea, to engage fully in the efforts to resolve the crisis, and meanwhile welcomed the efforts of the African Union, the Arab League and those States that had offered their assistance.

The Council also encouraged United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to “urgently to use his good offices and reach out to both parties”, as appropriate and in coordination with regional efforts, to speed bilateral discussions on arrangements for decreasing the military presence along the border and to develop confidence-building measures to resolve the border situation.

The meeting began at 7:32 p.m. and ended at 7:37 p.m.

Presidential Statement

The presidential statement, to be issued as document S/PRST/2008/20, reads as follows:

“The Security Council expresses its strong concern about the serious incidents that occurred on 10 June along the frontier between Djibouti and Eritrea, which led to several deaths and dozens of wounded.

“The Security Council condemns Eritrea’s military action against Djibouti in Ras Doumeira and Doumeira Island.

“The Security Council calls upon the parties to commit to a ceasefire, and urges both parties, in particular Eritrea, to show maximum restraint and withdraw forces to the status-quo ante.

“The Security Council urges both parties, in particular Eritrea, to cooperate and engage in diplomatic efforts to resolve the matter peacefully and in a manner consistent with international law.

“The Security Council welcomes the efforts of the African Union, the Arab League and those States that have offered their assistance, and calls upon the parties, in particular Eritrea, to engage fully in efforts to resolve the crisis.

“The Security Council encourages the Secretary-General urgently to use his good offices and reach out to both parties, as appropriate and in coordination with regional efforts, to facilitate bilateral discussions to determine arrangements for decreasing the military presence along the border and to develop confidence-building measures to resolve the border situation.”

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For information media • not an official record