Danish government approves African peace mission

By CNN Denmark

COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- The Danish government announced on Thursday that it would contribute 400 soldiers to a United Nations peace mission in the disputed border area between Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Two weeks ago, the Ethiopian government accepted Danish participation in the peace mission after intense diplomatic negotiations.

The Ethiopian government had earlier accused Denmark of taking in refugees from the region. Ethiopia described the refugees as terrorists and said that Denmark had taken sides in the armed conflict, which killed thousands of people.

Hundreds of thousands of civilians have been displaced by the two-year war between Eritrea and Ethiopia over disputed border territory in the Horn of Africa.

The fighting ceased in June, when the two sides signed a truce mediated by Algeria and the Organisation of African Unity.

The U.N. Security Council approved the peace mission last month, saying its prime objective would be to monitor the cessation of hostilities and assist in the implementation of agreed security measures.

It is the first time that Denmark has participated with regular troops in a peacekeeping mission in Africa.

CNN Denmark
U.N. mission to Ethiopia and Eritrea

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