Security Council
8400th Security Council Meeting: Reports of the Secretary-General on the Sudan and South Sudan
The Security Council today decided to extend until 15 May 2019 the mandate of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) ‑ operating in an oil-rich contested area on the border of Sudan and South Sudan ‑ while simultaneously reducing the Mission’s military troops and increasing its police presence.
Unanimously adopting resolution 2445 (2018) under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, the Council decided to decrease UNISFA’s authorized troop ceiling from 4,500 to 4,140 while increasing its authorized police ceiling from 50 to 345 police personnel. That troop ceiling will be further reduced by 295 troops following the deployment of increased police personnel and, as of 15 April 2019, the authorized troop ceiling will decrease by a further 557 troops unless a decision is taken to extend various modifications to the Mission’s mandate - related to its support for the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism, as laid out in resolutions 2024 (2011) and 2075 (2012).
In that regard, the Council recalled its April 2018 decision (resolution 2412 (2018)) to extend those mandate modifications until 15 April 2019, as well as its October 2018 assertion (resolution 2438 (2018)) that such an extension would be the final one of its kind unless both Sudan and South Sudan demonstrate “measurable progress” on such critical issues as border demarcation; ensuring UNISFA’s full freedom of movement; finalizing plans for several Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism team sites; and withdrawing from the Safe Demilitarized Buffer Zone, among others.
By the terms of today’s text, the Council decided to renew until 15 May 2019 UNISFA’s mandated tasks ‑ laid out in resolution 1990 (2011) ‑ related to the protection of its personnel, facilities and equipment as well as civilians under any imminent threat of physical violence. It also expressed its intention to request the appointment of a civilian Deputy Head of Mission for UNISFA unless the parties make progress towards a political solution.
Expressing disappointment that the parties have taken few steps towards progress in those areas, the Council also requested the parties to update the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel and the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa by 15 April 2019 on efforts made towards resolving the final status of Abyei; implementing all Abyei Joint Oversight Committee decisions; implementing the recommendations of the Abyei Area Joint Investigation and Inquiry Committee; and promoting reconciliation and engagement between the Misseriya and Ngok Dinka communities.
In addition, the Council demanded that the parties allow all humanitarian personnel full, safe and unhindered access to civilians in need, as well as all facilities needed for their operations. It renewed its call upon the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan to provide full support to the United Nations, including by promptly issuing entry visas to military, police, civilian and humanitarian personnel. It strongly urged all parties to cease any forms of violence, human rights violations and abuses and violations of international humanitarian law, including those committed against women and children.
Omer Dahab Fadl Mohamed (Sudan) welcomed the Council’s unity in adopting UNISFA’s mandate for another six months and underlined his Government’s commitment to cooperating with the Mission. Those include establishing all the Abyei mechanisms required in previous agreements reached between the two parties, he noted, pointing in particular to the 2011 Agreement on Temporary Arrangements for the Administration and Security of the Abyei Area. By its terms, both Governments agreed to refrain from making any changes to the status of UNISFA. Underlining the pressing need to address all the issues covered by the 2011 agreement, he said that establishing structures for joint administration as well as an administrative council and a joint police force are vital to delivering services, strengthening peaceful cooperation and ultimately moving towards a comprehensive peace. “Abyei is an integral part of the Sudanese territory,” he stressed, thanking all international partners that have supported his Government’s efforts towards peace.
Akuei Bona Malwal (South Sudan), also welcomed the mandate renewal and reaffirmed his Government’s commitment to continue to engage the Council in the pursuit of a final solution to the Abyei issue. Voicing his determination to take advantage of the current rapprochement in the bilateral relations between Sudan and South Sudan, as well as other positive regional developments, he pledged to work towards a satisfactory resolution as soon as possible.
The meeting began at 9:32 a.m. and ended at 9:44 a.m.
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MEETINGS COVERAGE AND PRESS RELEASES
