UN Calls For Urgent Response To Sudan’s Abyei Crisis

The Department of Public Information, United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) released a report on Monday on the continued violence, escalating tensions and population displacement in Sudan’s Abyei region that need urgent humanitarian response.

This report follows the UN Security Council resolutions on Monday authorizing the deployment of a peacekeeping force to the disputed area which straddles Northern and Southern Sudan and claimed by both sides.

With the unanimous adoption of resolution 1990 (2011), the Council formally established for six months, the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), which would comprise a maximum of 5,200 military personnel, 50 police personnel and appropriate civilian support.

Authorizing the use of force to protect civilians and humanitarian workers in Abyei, the Council underscored the imperative for the expeditious deployment of UNISFA and urged Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to take necessary steps to ensure rapid and effective implementation of the resolution.

The new operation answers the call for speedy Council action in the wake of the agreement reached last week between the Sudanese Government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) to withdraw their respective forces and allow Ethiopian peacekeepers in contested Abyei region.

Under that deal, brokered by former South Africa President Thabo Mbeki, the two sides agreed on the need for a third party to monitor the flashpoint border between north and south.

As South Sudan prepares to formally declare her independence from Khartoum on July 9th – the culmination of a wider 2005 peace deal resource rich Abyei area had in recent weeks been a scene of deadly clashes that drove tens of thousands people to flee their homes.

According to the resolution, NUISFA would monitor and verify the redeployment of any South Armed Forces, Sudan People’s Liberation Army or its successor from Abyei area, “henceforth, the Abyei area shall be demilitarized from any force with facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid and the free movement of relief workers in and around Abyei.

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