ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- The United Nations is urging leaders in Ethiopia and Eritrea to maintain security after a recent shooting incident in the disputed border region.
Officials from the U.N. peacekeeping mission monitoring the cease-fire between Ethiopia and Eritrea say that weapons were fired southeast of the military observer team site at Tsorena, Eritrea, the United Nations reported.
The Ethiopian Foreign Ministry released a statement saying that the incident is under investigation.
"It is possible it may have been a result of an accidental encounter between the reconnaissance missions of the two parties," the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry said in the statement. "Ethiopia has said time and again it wants to settle the dispute with Eritrea right away and using whatever mechanism may be available."
The United Nations is urging both countries to show restraint as tensions between the two remain unwavering while a resolution to the longstanding boundary dispute and the military buildup on the border are causing concern.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon recently called on Ethiopia and Eritrea officials to let the boundary commission set up under the cease-fire and proceed with the demarcation of the border.
Ethiopia officials say security conditions for demarcation of the border do not exist despite the more than 1,500 U.N. military personnel.
