UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan has reaffirmed its strong support for the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), underscoring the importance of sustained diplomatic engagement between Sudan and South Sudan for a peaceful and mutually acceptable resolution of the final status of Abyei — the disputed area along the border between the two countries.
Commending UNISFA for implementing their mandate “under exceptionally difficult circumstances”, Ambassador Syed Haider Shah, permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, said in his maiden statement to the Security Council on Wednesday, noting 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”, the Pakistani envoy said, pointing to a decline in security incidents and a peaceful migration season — with as many as 600 Pakistani peacekeepers contributing to such efforts.
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.
At the outset of the discussion, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, 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, Lacroix said, 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, the UN peacekeeping chief 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), the paramilitary group fighting the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), of its own representative to the Abyei Joint Oversight Committee risks creating competing claims of authority and representation.
In his remarks, Ambassador Haider Shah, who assumed the post of ambassador to the UN on Monday, said the tragic violence at Amiet Market on 15 September, which claimed approximately 40 lives, was a reminder of the fragility of the gains made in the peace process.
“Continued vigilance and sustained engagement with local communities remain essential,” he stressed.
Welcoming the progress recorded against several benchmarks established by resolution 2802, Ambassador Shah described as “particularly encourage” the renewed engagement between Sudan and South Sudan in July, followed by the resumption of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism in August, after more than three years. “We also welcome South Sudan’s commitment to withdraw its forces from southern Abyei, progress towards the deployment of authorized formed police units, and steps towards appointing a civilian Deputy Head of Mission.”
Pakistan, he said encourages Sudan and South Sudan to build on this momentum, including through the Abyei Joint Oversight Committee, and resume substantive dialogue towards a peaceful and mutually acceptable resolution of Abyei’s final status– noting that significant challenges remain particularly regarding the withdrawal of unauthorized armed actors and the establishment of agreed administrative and policing arrangements.
The deployment of the three authorized formed police units, as well as the commitments made by the parties in this regard will be important for strengthening law and order and protecting civilians, saying it was “equally important” that the benchmarks and mandates are supported by adequate financial, logistical and operational resources.
“Mandated tasks must be matched by the resources necessary for their effective implementation,” Ambassador Haider Shah emphasized.
A lasting solution to the situation in Abyei ultimately rests on a peaceful and mutually acceptable settlement of its final status through dialogue between Sudan and South Sudan,” he added. –Agencies
