United Nations Mission to Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE)

On 31 June 2000, the United Nations Security Council, by its resolution 1312, decided to establish the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) consisting of up to 100 military observers and the necessary civilian support staff in anticipation of a peacekeeping operation subject to future authorization.

The Mission's mandate stipulates the following tasks: establish and maintain liaison with the parties; visit the parties' military headquarters and other units in all areas of operation of the mission deemed necessary by the Secretary-General; establish and put into operation the mechanism for verifying the cessation of hostilities; prepare for the establishment of the Military Coordination Commission provided for in the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement; and assist in planning for a future peacekeeping operation.

UNMEE is composed of political, military, public information, mine action and administrative components, and include a mechanism for coordination of its activities with those of the humanitarian community. Offices in Addis Ababa and Asmara are complemented by regional headquarters based in Mendefera, western Eritrea, and Mekele, northern Ethiopia.