PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL 125TH MEETING

Date | 02, May 2008Addis Ababa

PRESS STATEMENT

The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 121st and 125th meetings held respectively on 24 April and 2nd May 2008, exchanged views on the relations between the Republic of Djibouti and the State of Eritrea, following the letter sent to Council on 24 April 2008 by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Djibouti regarding the situation at the border between the two countries.

Council noted that, on 1st May 2008, the Commission formally wrote to the two countries to gather as much information as possible on the situation obtaining at their common border and the steps they may have taken to resolve this situation amicably.

Council urged both countries to show maximum restraint and to resolve whatever dispute they may have through dialogue and on the basis of the principles enshrined in the AU Constitutive Act and other relevant AU instruments, including the respect of borders existing on achievement of independence and the promotion of good neighborliness.

Council encouraged the Commission to remain in close contact with the two countries and to monitor the evolution of the situation, with the view to taking any action that would be deemed appropriate, including dispatching, in due course, a mission to assess the situation on the ground and to consult with the relevant authorities of the two countries.