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STORY: UN / UNISFA FORCE COMMANDER INTERVIEW
TRT: 03:39
SOURCE: UN NEWS
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 22 JANUARY 2026, NEW YORK CITY
1. Various shots, United Nations headquarters
2. Med shot, UN flag
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Robert Yaw Affram, Major General, Acting Head of UNISFA and Force Commander:
“The challenges in UNISFA are enormous, the region is volatile. There are a lot of fragilities there. You may be aware that Sudan is in the middle of a conflict. South Sudan is not very stable. They also have their own problems over there. And so UNISFA happens to find itself between two hard rocks, rock in the sea, you know? And so the event of 13 December, where we suffered a drone strike leading to the death of six peacekeepers was unfortunate, and it underlines the volatile nature of Abyei, you know. And as I've said also, Abyei does not have a government, it does not state institutions. Abyei it's just a space that UNISFA operates in to provide security, you know. And until the final status of Abyei is determined, whether it goes to the South Sudanese or it goes to Sudan, Abyei a void, which we are filling in and helping the people to carry on with their lives and livelihoods.”
4. Med shot, UN flag
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Robert Yaw Affram, Major General, Acting Head of UNISFA and Force Commander:
“The Security Council wants to see what the two governments are doing towards each resolution so that it doesn't become just status quo for us to be there and with nothing happening, you now, so. But the paramount necessity or requirement in Abyei is security, you know. For UNISFA to ensure that there is security there until a final determination is made because there is a potential for conflict inside the box between the Ngoc Dinka community and then the Misseriya Nomadika community.”
6. Med shot, UN flag
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Robert Yaw Affram, Major General, Acting Head of UNISFA and Force Commander:
“We heighten our patrols. We do air surveillance. We engage with the community regularly to dissuade them from fighting conflict. I also engage with the two governments, the Port Sudan and Juba, for the necessity for peaceful coexistence in the box. And we also, with the support of the humanitarian agencies and partners, try to provide needs for the people in the box because there is no government presence. Because currently, it's assumed that the place doesn't belong to any of the two governments.”
8. Med shot, UN flag
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Robert Yaw Affram, Major General, Acting Head of UNISFA and Force Commander:
“Abyei is not an easy place to stay. It's far away from everywhere. There are no routes, there are no airfields, there is nothing. We use helicopters in and out. The terrain is challenging. The stress is high. It has impact on mental health and even physical health. But congratulations for being able to operate in the circumstances. The 13th of December last year's drone attack demonstrates the nature of the environment in which they are operating, but people are ready to continue to contribute to the welfare of the people of Abyei, so thanks to all of them.”
10. Wide shot, UN headquarters
The acting head of the UN peacekeeping mission in Abyei told UN News that the disputed region remains highly volatile, as UN forces operate in a political and security vacuum between Sudan and South Sudan.
Affram said a drone strike on 13 December that killed six peacekeepers underscored the risks on the ground. “The event of 13 December, where we suffered a drone strike leading to the death of six peacekeepers was unfortunate, and it underlines the volatile nature of Abyei,” he said.
Affram said the absence of a final political settlement has left Abyei in limbo.
“Abyei does not have a government, it does not state institutions,” he said, adding that until its final status is decided, “Abyei a void, which we are filling in and helping the people to carry on with their lives and livelihoods.”
He said the Security Council expects progress from both Sudan and South Sudan to avoid an open-ended deployment. “The Security Council wants to see what the two governments are doing towards each resolution so that it doesn't become just status quo for us to be there and with nothing happening,” he said.
Affram stressed that security remains UNISFA’s core task, warning of tensions between local communities. “The paramount necessity or requirement in Abyei is security,” he said, citing “a potential for conflict inside the box between the Ngoc Dinka community and then the Misseriya Nomadika community.”
He said UNISFA has stepped up patrols and engagement to prevent violence. “We heighten our patrols. We do air surveillance. We engage with the community regularly to dissuade them from fighting conflict,” he said, adding that he also engages with authorities in Port Sudan and Juba “for the necessity for peaceful coexistence in the box.”
He described harsh living and operating conditions for peacekeepers in the remote region. “Abyei is not an easy place to stay. It's far away from everywhere. There are no routes, there are no airfields, there is nothing,” he said, noting that helicopters are the only way in and out.
Affram said the environment places heavy strain on personnel. “The stress is high. It has impact on mental health and even physical health,” he said.
Despite the risks, he praised peacekeepers for continuing their mission following the deadly drone attack. “The 13th of December last year's drone attack demonstrates the nature of the environment in which they are operating,” he said, adding that personnel “are ready to continue to contribute to the welfare of the people of Abyei.”
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