September 13, 2007: The UN and U.S. both continue
to be concerned about human rights
violations by Ethiopian security forces in Ogaden. Within the last month Ethiopia has expelled
two high-profile NGOs from the Ogaden, Doctors Without Borders and the Red
Cross, because officials from these two groups criticized how Ethiopia was
responding to separatist rebels in the region.
The U.S. is threatening to put Eritrea on a list of terrorist supporters
if the gunrunning to Somalia and sanctuary for Islamic terrorists in Eritrea
doesn't stop. Eritrea denies everything.
September 11, 2007: Eritrea suddenly changed its
tune. After rattling sabers, Eritrea announced that it would seek to "avoid
war" with Ethiopia, but insisted that Ethiopia fulfill its commitment to agree
to the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission's (EEBC) decision regarding the
Ethiopia-Eritrea border. The announcement came after UN sources indicated that
Eritrea was considering lifting restrictions on UN troops monitoring the
Temporary Security Zones (TSZ). Eritrea has denied the monitors access to
several areas in the TSZ and limited helicopter support and surveillance
flights.
September 10, 2007: An Ethiopian government
spokesman said that the Ethiopian and Eritrean armies were only separated by
"70 to 80 meters" in key border areas.
September 8, 2007: The Eritrean government accused Ethiopia
of undermining attempts to revive the border demarcation resolution talks.
September 4, 2007: The NGO Doctors Without
Borders said a "major humanitarian
crisis" could be occurring in Ethiopia's Ogaden region. Ethiopia has imposed an
"economic blockade" on certain areas in the Ogaden, with the goal of stopping
the flow of supplies to the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF). However,
several NGOs in the area contend the blockade is indiscriminate and innocent
civilians are suffering. The Ethiopian military contends it is fighting an
insurgency and that the NGOs should stay out of the way.
