South Sudan/Sudan (Abyei)

The new United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) acting head of mission and force commander, Major General Tesfay Gidey Hailemichael of Ethiopia arrived in the disputed region of Abyei Tuesday to assume his duties.

The United Nations Security Council has called on Sudan and South Sudan to immediately resume negotiations on the final status of the disputed area of Abyei, saying it constitutes a serious threat to international order.

Recognizing that the situation along the Sudan-South Sudan border remained a serious threat to international peace and security, the Security Council decided this afternoon to extend until 15 May 2017 the mandate of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA).

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Friday extended for six months the mandate of the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), a disputed oil-producing region contested by Sudan and South Sudan. The Council … maintained the same number of troops already deployed in the disputed region.

“Continued cooperation between the Government of Sudan and Government of South Sudan is also critical for peace, security and stability and the future relations between them,” the 15-member body said in a resolution, authorizing until 15 may, 2016, the 4,500-strong UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA).

The mandate of the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) was extended until 15 December 2015. The force, set up by the Council in June 2011 following an outbreak of violence after Sudanese troops took control of the oil-rich area in the weeks before South Sudan became independent, is tasked with overseeing the demilitarization of the area and maintaining security.

The South Sudanese ambassador to the United Nations Tuesday reiterated his government rejection to establish a joint administration and called to put the disputed area of Abyei under international protectorate.

The African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN) have expressed concern over rising tensions in the disputed Abyei region.