UN Offers Support for Resuming Talks on Abyei Border Region
The United Nations has expressed its readiness to support Sudan and South Sudan in resuming discussions regarding the disputed Abyei border region, as reported during a meeting of the Security Council on Wednesday. The ongoing conflict in Sudan has significantly strained relations between the neighboring countries, with the national army and former allies, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), engaged in a power struggle since April 2023.
Two senior UN officials provided updates to the Council on developments concerning the fertile territory and the peacekeeping mission there, known as UNISFA. This mission’s mandate includes monitoring and verifying the redeployment of forces from the oil-rich region, in accordance with a 2011 agreement.
Political Process Stalled
Assistant Secretary-General for Africa, Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, highlighted that the political process remains stalled since the Sudan war began. While there have been movements towards dialogue, “considerable challenges remain in achieving progress on the final status of Abyei.” These challenges include dynamics related to the conflict in Sudan and political uncertainty in South Sudan.
She mentioned that the recent strategic review of UNISFA, requested by the Council last November, outlined a reinvigorated political role for the Mission, which is prepared to support the parties as they plan to resume talks.
RSF Presence and Communal Tensions
UNISFA has reported an increased presence of RSF elements and associated individuals in northern Abyei, contributing to elevated crime rates, particularly in Amiet Market, a popular trading hub for the Ngok Dinka and Misseriya communities.
“The market’s rapid growth in recent years has made it a potential flashpoint for intercommunal tensions,” said Ms. Pobee, pointing to illegal checkpoints set up by the RSF and other armed groups.
“UNISFA has had no choice but to engage regularly with armed actors present in the area to facilitate their removal, remind them that their presence in the Abyei Administrative Area is contrary to the demilitarized and weapon-free status of Abyei, and prevent their return.”
Furthermore, South Sudanese security forces continue to be present in southern Abyei, another violation.
“I reiterate the call for the immediate withdrawal of all armed forces and other armed actors from Abyei, in conformity with the weapon-free status of Abyei,” she said.
‘Untenable’ Operating Environment
Ms. Pobee noted that the strategic review also detailed how the operational environment for the mission’s former logistics centre and Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JBVMM) headquarters in Kadugli, Sudan, “has become simply untenable.”
The fighting is putting peacekeepers at risk, and “the situation has become more dire with a surge in targeted drone strikes” by the RSF, which has had an adverse effect on UNISFA’s air operations.
Additionally, the Sudan conflict and the continued influx of displaced people continue to create economic hardship in Abyei, and the mission has had to facilitate activities by humanitarians assisting the population.
Impact in South Sudan
The war also continues to impact security in South Sudan, according to UN Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Guang Cong. Cross-border movements by armed groups on both sides have led to increased insecurity in and around the border area.
The war and the deterioration in security are also affecting South Sudan’s primary source of revenue as oil flow and exports through Sudan have been significantly disrupted, resulting in a nearly 25 per cent contraction in the economy.
“Only after increased bilateral engagement and new arrangements to improve security along the pipeline route and other installations, oil production and transportation resumed early this year,” he said.
However, subsequent RSF attacks on oil installations that took place in May and August “resulted in oil spills, environmental damage and led to an emergency shutdown of operations.”
Supporting Dialogue
In her briefing, Ms. Pobee noted that both Sudan and South Sudan have indicated their openness to resuming contact on Abyei. Last month, the countries announced their intention to reactivate cooperation agreements focusing on security and the economy.
As the African Union (AU) continues to have a critical role in facilitating engagement between the sides, UNIFSA will continue its close coordination with the organization, she said.
Mr. Cong also welcomed renewed efforts to revive the Abyei political process and looked forward to supporting the AU in this regard.