In the absence of a political solution between Sudan and South Sudan, senior United Nations officials and delegates told the Security Council today that evolving violence and a fragile security situation in and around the disputed Abyei area underscore the importance of strengthening and renewing the mandate of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA).
UNISFA was established by the 15-member Council in June 2011 following the outbreak of violence in the resource-rich border area claimed by both countries. Its mandate is due to expire on 15 November.
Mission Must Remain Fit for Purpose
Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, briefed the Council on the situation in the Abyei Area and the mandate – warning that the drone attacks of 19 October “introduced a new and concerning dimension to the security landscape”.
While security incidents declined by 32 per cent, he noted the environment in which UNISFA operates is becoming more complex, not less – requiring the Council’s support “now more than ever”. The security situation remained fragile, with the most serious incident of 15 September in and around Amiet Common Market with violence involving members of the Ngok Dinka, Misseriya and Nuba communities resulting in 124 fatalities and 40 injuries. UNISFA responded rapidly by reinforcing deployments, but alongside the serious incident on 19 October, these events raise broader strategic concerns.
Citing the crucial status of Amiet Market, he said instability there could affect cross-border trade, migration routes, livelihoods, Sudan-South Sudan relations, and border region stability. He warned that the reported appointment by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of its own representative to the Abyei Joint Oversight Committee risks creating competing claims of authority and representation.
He stressed that UNISFA must remain fit for purpose in an increasingly complex and fluid regional environment, retaining the flexibility and operational capacity required to address emerging threats, prevent the spillover of regional conflicts into Abyei, and support the parties in advancing Council benchmarks.
Uphold Abyei’s Demilitarized Status
Guang Cong, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Horn of Africa, briefing the Council on the implementation of Resolution 2046 (2012), stated that the foremost challenge in Abyei “extends beyond local tensions”. The 19 October drone attacks on Amiet market are “the latest tragic consequence of the spillover from the conflict in Sudan”, he said – commending UNISFA for its prompt deployment, and calling on Sudan and South Sudan to uphold Abyei’s demilitarised status.
Warning that hostilities could potentially expand further, he underscored the need for a national political settlement, given the likelihood of the population’s increasing desperation, heightened intercommunal and inter-State fragilities, and renewed violence. Therefore, he called for the urgent redoubling of efforts “to protect Abyei from being fully sucked into Sudan’s conflict ecosystem”.
United States Calls for Better Benchmarks in UNISFA Mandate
As the floor opened for debate, numerous delegates condemned the 19 October attack in Abyei, with the United States’ representative underscoring how Sudan and South Sudan continue to fail the people there. “They deserve better from their leaders, and they deserve more from this Council,” he declared. While urging the parties to act, he called on the Secretariat to “move quickly to generate and deploy the first formed police unit” and to swiftly recruit and appoint a civilian Deputy Head of Mission.
After 15 years of incremental steps, he said, there was still “no final status, no demilitarization, no Abyei Police Service” and no full UN police deployment. “The people of Abyei need results, not another mandate renewal that changes nothing,” he stressed, calling for improved benchmark language that will hold the parties and the UN accountable for real progress.
The Russian Federation’s delegate called any steps to shut or draw down UNISFA “premature”, as she looked forward to extension of the mandate. Noting the draft resolution submitted by the United States, she called for its language “to be more realistic”. Similarly, the representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, also speaking for Liberia and Somalia, stressed that the Mission “cannot substitute for the political will and bilateral cooperation required of the parties to resolve Abyei’s final status”.
Commending UNISFA for implementing their mandate “under exceptionally difficult circumstances”, Pakistan’s delegate noted the fragile situation in Abyei, due to intercommunal tensions and the presence of unauthorized armed actors. The Mission, in this context, remains an “indispensable stabilizing presence”, he said, pointing to a decline in security incidents and a peaceful migration season – with as many as 600 Pakistani peacekeepers contributing to such efforts.
The representative of China voiced support for renewal of the mandate; with adjustments based on progress on the political process and on the ground. The United Kingdom’s representative also stressed that UNISFA remains essential to stability in Abyei, stating: “There is an opportunity for progress in Abyei; Sudan and South Sudan should seize it.”
Khartoum, Juba Outline Their Positions
Sudan’s delegate stressed that determination to advance the political process received “attention at the highest level of the State”. He voiced concern over South Sudan’s decision to include Abyei amongst its electoral constituencies for December elections – rejecting this as a violation of the agreement between both States and an attempt to undermine the legal status quo in the area.
Citing the reduction of recorded security incidents in Abyei by 32 per cent, without cattle- or migratory-related violence, he nonetheless expressed concern over the continuous presence of South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) in the south, welcoming the commitment to withdraw them; and equally, the presence of RSF elements in the north. He further drew attention to RSF appointment of its own representative to the Abyei joint oversight committee.
Voicing regret over the violence in Amiet Market, he shared the assessment that conditions necessary for adjusting UNISFA “do not exist yet” and must be based on effective developments on the ground as well as civilian protection.
Calling for an impartial UN-led investigation into the tragic drone attack in Amiet market, South Sudan’s representative said the presence of his country’s armed forces south of the River Kiir should not be construed as an unauthorized military presence in Abyei, as such areas were distinguished from the Abyei area in the UNISFA mandate. Further, a limited presence of SSPDF personnel in locations south of the river has contributed to stabilizing the situation and protecting civilians.
Turning to elections in Abyei, he underscored that until its status is determined, the rights and interests of the Ngok Dinka cannot be disregarded or prejudged. His country does not accept allegations of violations of the Status of Forces Agreement, he went on, welcoming “as a principal stand” the proposed appointment of a civilian deputy Head of Mission. Underscoring that the situation in Abyei cannot be resolved through security arrangements alone, he called on the UN and the Council to intensify support for the political process.
