Wealthy in oil sources, the Abyei space straddles the border between Sudan and South Sudan and is claimed by each side.
“The conflict within the Sudan continues to have a profound affect on the safety, financial and humanitarian conditions in each the Sudan and South Sudan, together with within the Abyei field,” Martha Pobee, Assistant Secretary-Common for Africa on the UN Division of Peace Operations, advised ambassadors on the Security Council.
Because the brutal energy battle between rival militaries in Sudan started final April, Abyei and its neighbours have grappled with disruptions in oil manufacturing and surging refugee arrivals.
These setbacks have left already stretched sources in South Sudan beneath better pressure, with hundreds of refugees enduring excessive shortages of unpolluted water, meals, and healthcare providers.
The Safety Council first licensed a peacekeeping power there in June 2011, a number of weeks earlier than South Sudan turned the world’s youngest impartial nation.
Proliferation of weapons
Ms. Pobee additionally highlighted continued proliferation of arms and heightened tensions, as noticed with the latest incursion of Speedy Help Forces (RSF) combatants into Abyei’s Aman-Aguak and Mijak counties, with reviews of looting.
“The motion of armed teams can also be compounding the delicate safety scenario in South Sudan and Abyei, significantly in relation to the pre-existing tensions between the Twic Mayardit and Ngok Dinka communities throughout Warrap state and Abyei,” she mentioned.
Excessive climate has added to the woes. In September and October alone, heavy rains displaced over 18,000 individuals in Abyei, destroying properties, crops, and important infrastructure whereas exacerbating the area’s public well being dangers.
Communal tensions
The UN Interim Safety Power for Abyei (UNISFA) has continued its efforts to foster intercommunal dialogue and resolve tensions, notably by means of facilitating pre and post-migration conferences in Noong in central Abyei in December 2023 and Might 2024 whereas guaranteeing the inclusion of key teams together with ladies and younger individuals.
As well as, with reviews that leaders of the Arab Misseriya group have declared help for the paramilitary Speedy Help Forces (RSF) which is battling the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in Sudan, UNISFA is monitoring the scenario and its potential implications for Abyei, Ms. Pobee mentioned.
Tensions between Ngok Dinka and Twic Dinka communities additionally remained excessive, with sporadic violence solely mitigated by mobility challenges posed by the wet season.
The continued presence of South Sudanese safety personnel inside Abyei, which violates a 2011 settlement between Sudan and South Sudan, has additionally strained relations and led to restrictions on UNISFA’s motion.
In the meantime, UNISFA continues to facilitate the supply of help with UN companies offering essential providers equivalent to well being, diet and livelihood abilities to Abyei residents – efforts which can be integral to establishing long-term peace and stability within the area.
Ladies and men from Abyei Girls Union take part in a UNISFA coaching which additionally targeted on the function of girls in peacebuilding.
Stalled talks
As political uncertainty persists, dialogue between Sudan and South Sudan concerning Abyei’s ultimate standing and border points remains stalled.
UNISFA’s efforts to convene the Abyei Joint Oversight Committee and the Joint Political and Safety Mechanism – essential boards for advancing peace within the area – have made little progress, with their final conferences held in 2017 and January 2023, respectively.
To bolster Abyei’s safety within the absence of the agreed Abyei Police Service, Ms. Pobee underscored the necessity for the total deployment of UN police forces.
“At a time of elevated want for such help, the deployment of the total 148 particular person law enforcement officials and three shaped police items as mandated by the Safety Council is dearly wanted,” Ms. Pobee mentioned.
“We ask you, the Safety Council members, to reiterate your help by echoing UNISFA’s ongoing calls to the host nations to allow the totally mandated UN police deployment.”
