Background to the sanctions
Eritrea is considered to have actively fuelled the conflict in Somalia by providing assistance to armed opposition groups that have resorted to terrorist methods in the country. Eritrea is also considered to have failed to heed the warnings of the Security Council concerning resolution of the border conflict with neighbouring Djibouti (border clash in May 2008). For these reasons the UN Security Council passed, in December 2009, Resolution 1907 on sanctions against the country. The sanctions include an arms embargo against Eritrea, an inspection regime concerning transports to and from Eritrea and targeted sanctions against persons and entities primarily in the official structure in Eritrea, which includes the opportunity to impose travel restrictions and the freezing of funds. However, such persons or entities have not yet been identified by the Security Council or its Sanctions Committee.
The EU has imposed corresponding sanctions through a Council decision and an EU regulation. See "Relevant EU documents".
Since Resolution 1907 was passed, Eritrea and Djibouti have agreed on a ceasefire. The border conflict has not been resolved, however, and the parties are negotiating under the mediation of Qatar.
