The European Union arms embargo on Eritrea

The European Union arms embargo on Eritrea

In May 1998 Ethiopia launces a military offensive against Eritrea. On 17 May 2000 imposed the UN Security Council unanimously an arms embargo on Eritrea and Ethiopia (UNSC Resolution 1298). The embargo was limited to 12 months. Due to the ongoing fighting the UN Security Council passed Resolution 1227 and renewed the arms embargo.

In June 2000, under pressure from the U.S. and the international community, both sides reluctantly accepted Organization of African Unity (OAU) peace proposals. These provide for a 25-kilometer-wide security zone to facilitate Eritrean withdrawal from the previous border, the insertion of a UN force, and the demarcation of the border. Resolution 1320 (2000) of the UN Security Council established a United Nations peacekeeping force to monitor the ceasefire. The UN mandate (UNMEE) ended in March 2002.

On 15 March 1999 adopted the Council of the European Union Common Position 1999/206/CFSP and imposed an arms embargo on Ethiopia and Eritrea. This was extended until 31 May 2001 (2001/215/CFSP), at which point it expired.

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