Algiers Agreement (2000)

The Algiers Agreement (2000 ) is the legally binding international agreement on a cease-fire between Ethiopia and Eritrea, which was signed by the two countries on 18 June 2000 and is monitored by the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Through the mediation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU ), chaired by Algeria, the United States and the European Union ended both states the Eritrea - Ethiopia war.

With the agreement, Ethiopia and Eritrea pledged to cease all attacks on one another and to ensure the free access of a peacekeeping mission, as well as their protection and recognition.

Both sides agreed that this mission of peace is situated by the United Nations and observed by the OAU. The mandate of this mission should be the observation of compliance with the ceasefire, the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops and the Temporary Security Zone ( TSZ ).

The mandate of the peacekeeping mission was linked to the completion of a process for finding and marking the international border between Ethiopia and Eritrea and the composition and strength of the Mission should be in agreement by both parties in the agreement by the Secretaries-General of the OAU and the United Nations.

Both sides were under the Agreement landmines obliged to vacate and the United Nations Mine Action Service has been asked to support this.

Ethiopia committed itself within two weeks after the deployment of blue helmets such positions that were taken after 6 February 1999 and before 6 May 1998 were not under Ethiopian administration to hand over to units of the peacekeeping mission. This retreat, however, was not considered in the agreement as a waiver of territorial claims. Eritrea undertook to withdraw its troops behind a line that is 25 kilometers from the Ethiopian positions.

The two sides pledged to accept these lines, and consented that the peacekeepers can enforce this compliance by appropriate measures under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations.