The UN Security Council (UNSC) yesterday extended the mandate of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) until 15 November 2021.

The UNSC unanimously adopted RES 2575 (2021) on UNISFA which read in part, "Recognizing that the current situation in Abyei and along the border between Sudan and South Sudan continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security, Decides to extend until 15 November 2021 the mandate of UNISFA." 

"The UNSC further decides to extend until 15 November 2021 the tasks of UNISFA as set out in paragraph 3 of resolution 1990 (2011), and further decides that UNISFA should continue to implement that mandate and tasks in accordance with resolution 2550 (2020),” it continued. 

The UNSC also expressed concern that the delayed deployment of UN police to the level authorized prevents UNISFA from fulfilling its security and protection mandate and holds the potential to create a security vacuum in Abyei.

The Security Council also expressed concern about Sudan and South Sudan’s efforts to impede UNISFA from fully executing its mandate, including by withholding visas for police, blocking the appointment of a civilian Deputy Head of Mission, and denying access to Athony airport, which would ease UNISFA’s logistical challenges, reduce transport costs, and enhance safety and security for UNISFA personnel,

According to the resolution, “Decides to extend until 15 November 2021 UNISFA’s mandate modification set forth in resolution 2024 (2011) and paragraph 1 of resolution 2075 (2012), which provides for UNISFA’s support to the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JBVMM), and further decides that UNISFA should continue to implement that mandate and tasks in accordance with resolution 2550 (2020).” 

The resolution also maintained the authorized troop and police ceilings.

“Reiterates the Security Council’s demand for the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan to provide full support for UNISFA in the implementation of its mandate, specifically the deployment of UNISFA personnel, including by removing any obstacles that hinder UNISFA’s work to protect civilians in Abyei,” the resolution read. 

The UNSC resolved that the Abyei Area shall be demilitarized from any forces, as well as armed elements of the local communities, other than UNISFA and the Abyei Police Service, and urged the governments of Sudan and South Sudan and the local communities to take all necessary steps to ensure that Abyei is effectively demilitarized and to extend full cooperation to UNISFA in this regard.