The war in Sudan and political uncertainty in South Sudan continue to stall progress in political dialogue on the final status of Abyei - the disputed area along the border between the two countries - a senior UN official informed the Security Council today, as its members urged robust support for the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) ahead of its expiration on 15 November.
"The political process between Sudan and South Sudan on Abyei and border issues remains stalled, as it has been since the outbreak of the Sudan conflict in April 2023," declared Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, Assistant Secretary-General for Africa in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations. Despite some positive steps, considerable challenges remain in achieving progress on its final status, she said, urging both South Sudan and Sudan to go beyond statements of intentions and accelerate implementation of existing agreements.
She drew attention to elevated levels of crime and intercommunal tensions in Northern Abyei, stemming from the continued presence of Rapid Support Forces elements, particularly in Amiet Market. "UNISFA has had no choice but to engage regularly with armed actors present in the area to facilitate their removal […] and prevent their return," she said, voicing concern that these armed actors have arbitrarily arrested local residents, including community protection committee members and some officials appointed by Khartoum. "I reiterate the Secretary-General's call for the immediate release of those detained illegally," she stressed.
Meanwhile, South Sudanese security forces are still present in Southern Abyei, violating the demilitarized and weapons-free status of Abyei, she continued, drawing attention to the outbreak of fighting amongst South Sudan People's Defence Forces elements at Athony Junction in early October. Nonetheless, the reduction in intercommunal violence seen in previous reporting periods has largely been maintained, she said, highlighting UNISFA's convening of a successful post-migration conference in Todach in May and June. "The conference led to an agreement between Ngok Dinka and Misseriya representatives on the reverse migration," she said.
On the security front, the operational environment for the former logistics centre and Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism headquarters in Kadugli, Sudan, has become "simply untenable", she went on. "The situation has become more dire with a surge in targeted drone strikes conducted by the Rapid Support Forces against the Sudanese Armed Forces, which has affected air operations of the mission adversely," she warned, urging the Government of Sudan to provide support until the situation improves, in light of the mission's temporary withdrawal from Kadugli. She reiterated the urgent request to South Sudan and Sudan to provide full support for the immediate deployment of the Formed Police Units authorized by the Security Council.
Also briefing the Council was Guang Cong, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Horn of Africa, who drew attention to the Sudan conflict's impact on South Sudan's dire economic situation. "South Sudan's oil flow and exports through Sudan have experienced significant disruptions," he said, noting attacks by the Rapid Support Forces on oil installations and another attack on oil facilities in Heglig, near the Sudan - South Sudan border, which resulted in oil spills, environmental damage and an emergency shutdown of operations. The Minister for Foreign Affairs of South Sudan visited Port Sudan in October, which resulted in a series of bilateral agreements aimed at protecting oil facilities and pipeline installations, the designation of a free trade zone at Port Sudan for South Sudan and increased cooperation in trade and security, he noted.
Regarding the final status of Abyei, he said the Abyei Joint Oversight Committee has not convened since 2017, and meetings of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism between the two countries have remained suspended since January 2023. About 41,000 displaced people from Sudan have entered Abyei, placing immense pressure on humanitarian resources. Also expressing concern about the growing activities of the Rapid Support Forces in Northern Abyei, as well as the increased presence of the South Sudanese Peoples' Defence Forces in Southern Abyei, he said this violates the 2011 Agreement on Interim Arrangements and applicable Council resolutions.
