Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative Anna Evstigneeva at UNSC briefing on the situation in Abyei
Mr.President,
We thank USG Lacroix and Special Envoy Tetteh for the briefings. We welcome representatives of Sudan and South Sudan to this meeting.
We have carefully studied the UN Secretary-General's report on Abyei. Unfortunately, recent months have not brought serious progress in the political settlement. However, that was due to objective factors. Sudan remains in a state of acute armed conflict that has engulfed a number of areas of the country, with grave humanitarian consequences for the entire region. Juba is faced with a challenge of receiving refugees and South Sudanese who return from the north. Tens of thousands of refugees are also arriving in Abyei. It must be recognized that South Sudan is coping well with this challenge. At the same time, the country faces major challenges in implementing the provisions of the Revitalized Peace Agreement, ending the transition period and holding the first-ever general elections, scheduled for December 2024.
It is encouraging that the security situation in Abyei over the past six months, while still challenging, has been generally under control. That is due to the responsible approach demonstrated by both Sudan and South Sudan with regard to Abyei, which is commendable. We particularly note Juba's efforts at inter-communal reconciliation, which has reduced tensions between the Misseriya and Ngok Dinka, as well as the Ngok Dinka and Twiq Dinka. At the same time, we are concerned about clashes between the Ngok Dinka and the Nuer. We also welcome the readiness of the two capitals to build multifaceted cooperation, including on the joint exploitation of Abyei's potential oilfields.
We are firmly convinced that the parties need to take joint efforts as regards the Abyei affairs. It is also crucial that both the Sudanese and South Sudanese should observe their obligations to maintain the demilitarized status of Abyei. The resolution of this issue does not promise to be quick. It will take patience and abstention from any unilateral attempts aimed at changing the status of the disputed area in violation of the relevant international legal framework and the agreements between the two states. Criticism of the parties for not paying enough attention to this issue will not help at all, let alone putting pressure on them, including through sanctions.
The UN Interim Security Force in Abyei (UNISFA) remains a critical factor for stability. We welcome the role of the Blue Helmets in resolving the current security problems, maintaining law and order and strengthening relations among local communities. We emphasize the inadmissibility of any aggressive actions against United Nations peacekeepers. We extend our condolences to the families of the peacekeepers killed in the January events, as well as to the families of civilians killed and injured during the intercommunal clashes. We trust that UNISFA will continue to clearly implement its mandate, with a focus on assisting the two states in their efforts to find a mutually acceptable solution to the border dispute.
The work of the Joint Border Verification Mechanism (JBVM), which is responsible for, inter alia, the material provision and rotation of UNISFA personnel, has played a stabilizing role. The Sudanese authorities should be commended for their constructive engagement with the JBVM. At the same time, although the Sudanese side continues to issue single-use overflight permits for the delivery of supplies and the rotation of UNISFA personnel, the monitoring capabilities remain limited owing to Sudan’s closure of the airspace in the vicinity of the Kadugli airport in April 2023.
We believe that continued presence of the Blue Helmets in the area is still very relevant. We call on UNISFA’s leadership to bolster their engagement with the authorities of both states with a view to resolving the situation.
Thank you.
