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

Hailemichael was met upon arrival by senior UNISFA management staff led by the chief mission support, Elijah Karambizi, among other officials.

According to a press release from the office of the UNISFA spokesman, the outgoing deputy force commander, Brigadier General Zewdu Kiros Gebrekidan accompanied Hailemichael from Khartoum.

Major General Hailemichael succeeds Major General Hassen Ebrahim Mussa, who completed his assignment on 17 February 2017.

The new head of mission is expected to carry forward the effective leadership and the vision set by his predecessors. As part of his initial activities in Abyei, he will be briefed by section chiefs and officers. Over the next few days, he will visit troops in different sectors and meet with the two communities, Ngok Dinka and Misseriya.

UNISFA is a United Nations peacekeeping force in Abyei, which is contested between Sudan and South Sudan. It was approved on 27 June 2011 by the UN Security Council resolution 1990.