Security Council Calls on Sudan, South Sudan, to Demilitarize Abyei, Highlights Impact of Sudan Conflict on Area’s Political Process, Humanitarian Needs
Sudan and South Sudan must respect the demilitarization of Abyei and evacuate their forces, Security Council members urged today, as senior officials reported on the latest political, security and humanitarian developments, including the impact of ongoing fighting in Sudan on agreement on the final status of the disputed area.
Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, briefing the Council on the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), whose mandate renewal will be considered by the Council next week, said the outbreak of armed conflict in Sudan in April interrupted encouraging signs of dialogue between Sudan and South Sudan earlier in 2023 and effectively put on hold the political process with regard to the final status of Abyei and border issues. “The United Nations, in close coordination with the African Union, remains ready to support a resumption of dialogue and is monitoring the situation for the conditions that might allow for this,” he said.
The presence of approximately 200 South Sudan People’s Defence Forces and South Sudan National Police Service personnel in southern Abyei, and an estimated 60 Sudanese oil police in northern Abyei contradict UNISFA’s mandate and Abyei’s demilitarized and weapons-free status, resulting in restrictions on the Mission's freedom of movement, he pointed out, calling once again on relevant authorities for their withdrawal.
The Mission has worked to facilitate humanitarian assistance to an estimated 220,000 vulnerable people in the central and southern parts of Abyei, including those displaced in intercommunal clashes and others fleeing the fighting in Sudan, he continued, reporting that, in Abyei, the Sudan crisis has resulted in an influx of displaced people, with the UN’s humanitarian partners recording over 9,000 people at Amiet Market who have sought refuge from the fighting.
“With the conflict in Sudan, the conditions are not conducive for talks on the final status of Abyei,” said Hanna Serwaa Tetteh, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Horn of Africa. Nevertheless, representatives of Abyei communities expressed the need to maintain the Abyei issue on the agenda of the UN and African Union. Pointing to the tense security and dire humanitarian situations in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states, exacerbated by the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces, she urged the international community to pursue a comprehensive political strategy dealing with the conflicts in South Kordofan and Blue Nile and the final status of Abyei.
In the debate that followed, Council members voiced concern about stalled political progress towards Abyei’s permanent settlement, and the impact of the conflict in Sudan to that end. Speakers also pointed to the presence of security forces from both Sudan and South Sudan in Abyei in violation of its demilitarized and weapons-free status and called on both sides to withdraw their troops and return to dialogue.
Ghana’s representative, speaking also on behalf of Gabon and Mozambique, emphasized the central role of the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in supporting both countries towards a comprehensive agreement on the final status of Abyei, stressing that leadership of the region is crucial for a sustainable solution to the situation there. He expressed regret that no progress has been made in the Abyei political process and, like other speakers, called on the warring parties in Sudan to cease hostilities and embrace dialogue and diplomacy to allow for peacebuilding and reconciliation in the country.
The representative of the United States was among speakers who voiced concern over the continued presence in Abyei of South Sudanese and Sudanese armed groups, threatening its demilitarized status. He called on all armed groups to depart the region and called on the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan to evacuate their forces. Emphasizing the importance of UNISFA peacekeepers’ safety, he urged the parties to the conflict to provide safe passage and freedom of movement to all personnel — a call also made by other delegations.
Malta’s delegate encouraged Sudan and South Sudan to build on previous exchanges held in Khartoum and Juba and to revive further discussions on the final status of Abyei. Pointing to the continued military occupation of schools and community centres, she reiterated the need for establishment of the Abyei Police Service until parties agree on the final status of Abyei. The recent establishment of an internal gender focal point system within UNISFA and the launch of the UN Police Women Network are key to ensure a coordinated and integrated response to the protection needs of women in Abyei, she added.
Switzerland’s delegate, on that note, stressed that more needs to be done to protect the population in Abyei and mitigate the impact of people fleeing Sudan’s conflict as well as displacement due to intercommunal tensions. Ecuador’s representative, highlighting reports of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on enslavement of women and girls, called for their immediate release and for perpetrators to be brought to justice. High food insecurity exacerbates the regional situation, he added, stressing: “Today, more than ever, humanitarian assistance and the protection of those who provide it are essential.”
Sudan’s representative, regarding the impact of the ongoing armed conflict in his country between Sudan Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces, said the latter is receiving military support from regional countries, stressing that regional conferences should get in touch with those countries supporting the Rapid Support Forces. Noting that Abyei is free of military presence, except for buffer areas in the north and south, he said his Government awaits an agreement on the final status, based on a reasonable approach that will help resolve outstanding issues and ensure social cohesion, and called for unilateral measures to be avoided.
South Sudan’s representative, reaffirming her country’s commitment to the peaceful resolution of the Abyei dispute and acceptance of the proposal of the African Union High-level Implementation Panel, which provides for a referendum to determine the final status of the Abyei Area, said: “We call on the Government of Sudan to demonstrate the same political will and to engage constructively in dialogue and in negotiations with us, under the auspices of the African Union and the United Nations, to reach an agreement on this matter as soon as possible.”...
https://press.un.org/en/2023/sc15481.doc.htm
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