The United Nations Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Guang Cong, has called for accelerated progress on agreed security and political benchmarks in Abyei following his first visit to the UN peacekeeping mission in the disputed region.
Cong visited Abyei from April 27 to 29, holding consultations with leaders of the Ngok Dinka and Misseriya communities, civil society representatives and local authorities, according to a UN statement on Thursday.
He urged continued dialogue to prevent the spillover of regional conflicts into Abyei and pressed stakeholders to deliver “concrete results” on benchmarks set by the U.N. Security Council.
The envoy acknowledged the role of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) in protecting civilians and maintaining relative stability, and noted improved relations between the two communities. However, he warned that gains remained fragile due to ongoing security concerns, including the presence of state and non-state armed actors.
Cong expressed appreciation for cooperation between local communities and encouraged continued commitment to peace. Community leaders and the Abyei administration reaffirmed support for UNISFA, saying the current stability was largely due to the mission’s presence, the statement said.
On the second day of the visit, Ngok Dinka leaders staged a peaceful demonstration at UNISFA headquarters, calling on the Security Council to extend the mission’s mandate.
In a petition delivered to the envoy and addressed to U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, they warned of the risk of renewed violence if Abyei’s final status remains unresolved. They also called for increased international pressure on Sudan and South Sudan to resolve the dispute and for the withdrawal of unauthorized armed forces from the area.
UNISFA’s mandate is due to expire later this year, with future extensions linked to measurable progress by Sudan and South Sudan on outstanding benchmarks, including security arrangements and governance issues.
Cong called on all parties to demonstrate commitment to peace efforts through tangible progress on the Security Council’s requirements, saying continued engagement would be critical for stability in Abyei.
Abyei is a disputed border area between Sudan and South Sudan, mainly inhabited by the Ngok Dinka and Misseriya communities. The 2005 peace deal provided for a referendum to decide its status, but it was never held due to disagreement over voter eligibility.
In 2013, the Ngok Dinka conducted a unilateral vote in favour of joining South Sudan, which was not recognised. Abyei’s final status remains unresolved, with UN peacekeepers deployed under UNISFA to maintain stability.
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