Part 2 The Post-Cold War Era (1990–2000), 45 The Eritrean–Ethiopian War—1998–2000

Subject(s):

Self-defence — UN Charter — Territory

This contribution discusses the Eritrean-Ethiopian War of 1998-2000. It sets out the facts and context of the crisis, the legal positions of the two countries, and the international community’s reactions. The Algiers Agreement ending the conflict established an Eritrea Ethiopia Claims Commission, which concluded that Eritrea’s large-scale, transborder military operation at the outset of the conflict constituted a violation of Article 2(4) of the U.N. Charter. Further, the commission made important findings with respect to the law on self-defense, such as that a state may not use armed force to seize disputed territory peacefully occupied by another state.