Ethiopia-Eritrea: U.S. Policy Towards the Border Dispute

• United States policy toward the boundary impasse between Eritrea and Ethiopia is and has been for both governments to respect commitments in the Algiers Agreements, comply with relevant Resolutions of the UNSC, and engage directly to implement the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission’s (EEBC) delimitation decision and address issues that divide them.

• The EEBC’s demarcation decision by map coordinates is the responsibility of Eritrea and Ethiopia, the parties to the Algiers Agreements, to decide whether and how to implement.

• Assistant Secretary Frazer has regularly explained this policy and most recently highlighted the importance of dialogue in developing a workable boundary regime in comments made during a State Department briefing on November 30.

• On December 5, Secretary Rice, in Addis Ababa, reiterated that the governments of Eritrea and Ethiopia should avoid any actions that might further heighten tension or reignite conflict. The United States urges both governments to cooperate with the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea in this effort.