At the beginning of 2005 an un-named Western diplomat claimed that Ethiopia had 60,000 troops in close proximity to the disputed border, which is an increase of 100% from last year. The same diplomat has stated that the majority of Eritrea’s 300,000 strong armed forces are also in the vicinity of the border. In February the UN declared its concern over the movement of troops by both parties to the border. Immediately this does not bode well.

At the end of September, Eritrean president Isaias Afwerki threatened renewed military action against Ethiopia if the border dispute is not reconciled according to the EEBC's decision. Days later, Eritrea's 16 political opposition parties, exiled in Sudan, announced from Khartoum that they were to unite their military wings.

Of further concern is that Eritrea has now banned all UNMEE helicopter flights - clearly this impedes the peacekeepers' and military observers’ ability to monitor troop activities along the border – suggesting that perhaps Eritrea does not want UNMEE to know what military manoeuvres are taking place along the border. Even if this is mere military posturing, it clearly demonstrates that the two protagonists are far from peace.

The situation now seems to be reaching its zenith. War is creeping over the horizon – whether that would be Eritrea fighting Ethiopia, or Eritrea fighting its own political opposition – and notice needs to be taken now.