UN alarmed over Eritrean stowaways

The UN expressed alarm on Thursday at new allegations of Eritreans crossing the contested border into Ethiopia, stowed away aboard UN peacekeeping vehicles. Gail Bindley Taylor Sainte, spokeswoman for the UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) said they were “extremely disturbed” by the latest allegations that four men had crossed into Ethiopia last month. They are said to have stowed away in a vehicle belonging to UNMEE. An investigation by UNMEE has revealed “loopholes” in its security procedures. Sainte said that earlier this year, nine Eritreans had stowed away among UN peacekeepers to cross the border. “What we have done since then is to make sure, based on the report, that we close those loopholes,” Sainte told journalists at a weekly video-linked press briefing. “People who want to cross the border for one reason or another will always find ways and means of doing so,” she said. Extra security will now be put in place when UN peacekeeping personnel are moved around both countries and detailed inspections will take place. She added that UNMEE military officials had travelled to Axum in northern Ethiopia to question the Eritreans who are being held by local security officials. Sainte also said that UNMEE had not been given a date by the Boundary Commission on when demarcation will start. Demarcation of the 1,000 km border is due to begin this month after being delayed twice.