UN probing Eritreans' escape across the border

The UN has launched an investigation into claims that three Eritreans escaped across the contested border into Ethiopia, hidden among its peacekeeping personnel.

Major General Robert Gordon, the force commander of the UN’s Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE), is heading the enquiry into allegations that the men slipped across in two separate incidents.

It is unclear how the men – who are all believed to be in their early twenties – managed to cross the heavily patrolled border and 25 km security buffer zone.

Officials from the Ethiopian border town of Adigrat told IRIN that at least two had crossed aboard an UNMEE peacekeeping bus travelling from Asmara to Adigrat. The third man, who slipped over the border in mid-July, stowed away in an UNMEE truck, officials said.

The incidents occurred during the routine rotation of Indian peacekeepers who operate in the central border region.

The investigation will address whether the men are staff within UNMEE or whether they received any help from members of the peacekeeping force.

Currently there are some 5,000 Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia – many of whom crossed the border last year to escape military service.

They are usually detained in Adigrat – which is 35 km from the border – before being relocated to a refugee camp in western Tigray.

Some 4,000 Blue Helmets maintain the peace along the 1,000 km border and in the buffer zone that separates the countries which is patrolled by Eritrean militia and police.

“We are taking this very seriously,” George Somerwill, deputy spokesman for UNMEE told IRIN. “An investigation has been launched into these allegations.”