April 7, 2003

Crucial point for UN-Ethiopia relations

By M. Filli A.

Following the ruling of an independent Border Commission, relations between Ethiopia and the international community (UN) have reached a crucial juncture.

The independent border commission, established to determine the international border between Eritrea and Ethiopia according to the Algiers peace treaty of December 2000, has ruled in no uncertain terms that the village of Badme, that allegedly was the trigger for Ethiopia’s war of aggression against Eritrea, is unequivocally Eritrean. The agreement stipulates, and both parties agreed in writing that the Commission’s ruling is final and binding and there is no appeal. With that, both parties agreed that the commission has an exclusive mandate to deliberate and decide over the case and has the last word regardless of others interpretation of its ruling, and displeasure of one of the parties. Hence, the commission’s ruling is a take-it-or leave-it and face the consequences deal.

The international community (USA, EU, UN, AU) not only endorsed but also committed and obliged itself to enforce the ruling of the commission, again in no uncertain terms, by invoking Chapter VII of UN Charter that allows for action up to and including the use of force. Accordingly, the international community has committed itself to enforce the ruling of the border commission peacefully or by the use of force (should either party renege on its commitment).

While Eritrea has accepted the commission’s ruling unconditionally, Ethiopia is pussyfooting about it and is testing and challenging the commitment of the international community in light of the Iraq problem. The case is then Ethiopia versus the rest of the world, Ethiopia vs. UN, and not Eritrea, for it is the UN that has unwavering commitment to and will enforce the ruling of the EEBC, with which Ethiopia must deal. Therefore, the contradiction is clearly between UN and Ethiopia. To portray Ethiopia’s dilly-dallying about the ruling as “Ethiopia vs. Eritrea” is simply canard.

News headliners such as “Ethiopia vs. Eritrea” or “Relations between Eritrea and Ethiopia have reached a critical juncture” are only media ploys intended to shield Ethiopia from the wrath of the international community and to save the skin of the losers.

It is imperative that the international community rises up to its commitments and obligations and makes it clear to Ethiopia that flouting international commitment is not a game, instead of talks about compromise when there is none. Ethiopia must accept or reject the ruling unequivocally.

M. Filli A.