The United States embassies in Juba and Khartoum in a joint press release on Wednesday said they were concerned about the escalation of violence in Abyei and said the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA)’s mandate authorizes the use of force to protect civilians.
“The United States notes with great concern the recent escalation of violence in Abyei and Agok,” the press release read. “We offer our condolences to the families of those killed in the violence.”
“The United States supports expanded patrols in Abyei by UNISFA and recalls that UNISFA’s mandate authorizes peacekeepers to use all necessary means, which includes the use of force when required, to protect civilians under threat of physical violence,” it added.
The U.S embassies called on all sides to cease reprisals and return to dialogue.
“We call on the governments of Sudan and South Sudan to lend their political support to UNISFA to deescalate such attacks,” the statement concluded.