UN Security Council extends mandate of peacekeeping mission in Abyei
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has renewed for 12 months the mandate of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA).
The Security Council statement issued on Monday notes that the unanimous decision after adopting resolution 2660 (2022) would enable UNISFA operating in the disputed area between Sudan and South Sudan to continue implementing its mandate and tasks per the respective resolutions.
“As set out in paragraph 2 of resolution 1990 (2011) and acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, further decides to extend until 15 November 2023 the tasks of UNISFA as set out in paragraph 3 of resolution 1990 (2011), and further decides that UNISFA should continue to implement that mandate and tasks in accordance with resolutions 2630 (2022) and 2609 (2021),” it said.
It noted that the current situation in Abyei and along the border between Sudan and South Sudan continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security.
It also provides for the peacekeeping mission’s support to the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism and that the mission would maintain the authorized troop and police ceilings.
The UNSC further urged the governments of Sudan and South Sudan to provide full support to the implementation of UNISFA’s mandate, and deployment of its personnel by facilitating the smooth functioning of all UNISFA bases and Joint Border Verification team sites per the status of forces agreements.
The Council reiterated that the Abyei Area shall be demilitarized from any forces, including the armed elements of the local communities, and requested the Secretary-General to continue providing information on the progress in implementing the mission’s mandate.
In May this year, the Council renewed the mandate of the force for six months to expire on November 15.
The UN interim force for the disputed area was set up by the Security Council in June 2011 following tensions between Sudan and South Sudan.
