The
United Nations Security Council on last week decided to extend the mandate of
the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) until
15 May 2020, specifying “measurable progress” in border issues needed
from Sudan and South Sudan before that date.
Unanimously
adopting resolution 2497 (2019), the council also demanded that
the governments of Sudan and South Sudan provide full support to UNISFA in the
deployment of its personnel, expressing disappointment about continued
obstruction from the parties in that regard.
The
council maintained the current troop ceiling, however, at 3,550 personnel,
deciding to postpone the withdrawal of the additional 295 troops currently
on the ground for the full term of the mandate extension.
Also
through the text, the council maintained the authorized police ceiling at
640 personnel.
The UN's most powerful body expressed concern
about delays in reaching full police deployment, it noted in particular that
the government of Sudan has not promptly issued visas.
The
council also decided to extend until 15 May 2020 UNISFA’s mandate
modification that provides support to the Joint Border Verification and
Monitoring Mechanism, adding this shall be the final such extension unless the
parties show measurable progress in border discussions, freedom of movement for
patrols, withdrawal of forces and other requirements.
The
council, through the text, also reiterated its request to the Secretary‑General
to appoint a civilian Deputy Head of Mission for UNISFA, requesting a report by
15 April 2020 to include progress on that issue, police deployment
and the issuance of visas, as well as progress toward stabilizing the area and
settling the border dispute.
Sudan
and South Sudan are disputing the oil-rich Abyei, an area inhabited by Misseriya
Arab nomads in the north and Ngok Dinka people who are pro-South Sudan.
As
a result, Abyei area remains under the administration of the UN interim
security force. - Africa
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