Ban Ki-moon warns of war if peacekeeping fails in Eritrea and Ethiopia

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
A new war could break out between Eritrea and Ethiopia if the UN peacekeeping mission that has been prevented from patrolling both sides of the border withdraws entirely, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned Wednesday. Ban's report to the Security Council found no good options for its members to consider, other than somehow persuading Eritrea to restore the UN's ability to patrol its side of the border. Total withdrawal, he said, "could result in an escalation of tensions in the border area with the risk of a resumption of open hostilities, despite declarations by the two parties that they have no intention to restart the war." With tensions rising, Ban said, troops on each side of the border exchanged gunfire several times in recent months.