October 26, 2022 (NEW YORK) – The United Nations Security Council will on Thursday receive a briefing on the Secretary-General’s most recent report on the world body’s peacekeeping force in Abyei (UNISFA), covering the period from 15 April to 3 October.
The briefing will be by the Assistant Secretary-General for Africa in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee and the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Hanna Serwaa Tetteh.
Thursday’s meeting will mainly focus on the security and political situations in Abyei.
“Closed consultations are scheduled to follow the open briefing,” noted a statement.
Since South Sudan’s secession from Sudan in 2011, the two nations made no significant progress in resolving the final status of Abyei, a disputed area along their shared border.
The Secretary-General’s report, the statement noted, expresses concern that the parties have not held a meeting of the Abyei Joint Oversight Committee (AJOC) since 2017. As such, the Council members may be interested in hearing any updates on progress towards the holding of such a meeting and the details of the UN’s support in this regard.
The AJOC is tasked with overseeing security issues in Abyei, comprised of UNISFA’s force commander and representatives from Sudan, South Sudan and the African Union
Last month, UNISFA expressed alarm over renewed clashes between the Twic Dinka and Ngok Dinka communities in Agok in sector south area, 28 kilometres from Abyei town.
On 14 October, the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) expressed grave concern about violent clashes between Twic Dinka in Abyei and the Ngok Dinka from Warrap State.
Security Council members are concerned about the lack of progress by Sudan and South Sudan in resolving the final status of Abyei, among other long-standing issues.
Meanwhile, the 15-member Council expects to renew the mandate of UNISFA before expiration on 15 November. UNISFA’s mandate was unanimously adopted on 12 May.
(ST)
