South Sudan/Sudan (Abyei)

The Security Council today decided to extend the mandate of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) until 15 November 2025 to maintain the Force’s authorized troop and police ceilings and call for a strategic review of UNISFA’s effectiveness, strategic objectives and alignment with the evolving regional security situation.

The war in Sudan and political uncertainty in South Sudan have stalled progress in political dialogue on the final status of Abyei and border issues, a senior UN official told the Security Council today, as Security Council members urged greater support to be lent to the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) in fulfilling its mandate, ahead of its expiration on 14 November.

[…] In a memorandum to the UN peacekeeping force in Abyei (UNISFA), the Dinka Ngok, who are the main inhabitants of the region, called for international support for self-rule during an interim period until Sudan and South Sudan can agree on Abyei’s final status.

South Sudan has excluded Abyei from the electoral process, citing its status uncertainty and the prevailing security situation in the disputed region.

[…] The spokesman said more than 140 community leaders and members from both communities, including 41 women, attended the four-day conference facilitated by UNISFA with other UN and non-UN partners.

The ongoing conflict between rival militaries in Sudan has stalled progress towards the determination of the final status of the disputed oil-rich Abyei region which straddles the Sudan-South Sudan border, the head of UN peacekeeping operations said on Tuesday. … The situation in Sudan has also exacerbated intercommunal tensions in Abyei, … .

The war in Sudan has spilled over to the restive border region of Abyei, potentially scuttling recent efforts to resolve the long-standing conflict between Ngok Dinka ethnic group in South Sudan and the Misseriya from West Kordofan State in Sudan.

The UN Interim Security Force in Abyei (UNISFA) has heightened ground and aerial patrols to deter further violence after brutal fighting in the oil-rich region claimed dozens of lives over the weekend.

Continuing intercommunal clashes in the disputed Abyei region between Sudan and South Sudan have left more than 50 people dead including two peacekeepers, the UN said on Monday. 

The embassies of Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States have condemned the latest attack in Abyei Administrative Area.