FN forlænger mission i grænseområde mellem Sudan og Sydsudan

Laurits Holdt

Da Sydsudan blev uafhængigt fra Sudan i 2011 kunne parterne ikke blive enige om, hvem af dem der skulle have grænseområdet Abyei, der er rigt på bl.a. olie. Det har ført til mange sammenstød og knap 4.000 soldater forsøger at dæmpe gemytterne.

NEW YORK, 26 February 2015 (UN News): The Security Council has extended the United Nations peacekeeping force in Abyei – a resource-rich area contested by Sudan and South Sudan – as part of the Organization’s ongoing efforts to maintain peace and protect civilians in the disputed territory.

In a unanimous vote held earlier today, the 15-member body adopted the resolution noting that the continuing tensions in Abyei and along the border between Sudan and South Sudan still constituted “a serious threat to international peace and security.”

The mandate of the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) was extended until 15 July 2015. The force, set up by the Council in June 2011 following an outbreak of violence after Sudanese troops took control of the oil-rich area in the weeks before South Sudan became independent, is tasked with overseeing the demilitarization of the area and maintaining security.

Among other measures, the Council reiterated its demand that Sudan and South Sudan “immediately resume” the work of the Abyei Joint Oversight Committee, otherwise known as the AJOC, “to ensure steady progress” on the implementation of the 20 June 2011 Agreement, which provides for temporary administrative arrangements for Abyei and the withdrawal of troops by both sides.

In addition, the Council also reiterated its demand that both Sudan and South Sudan “urgently commence” the establishment of the Abyei Area Administration and Council in order to form an Abyei Police Service with a mandate to take over policing functions in the area, including the protection of oil infrastructure.

The UN body also underscored that “continued cooperation” between the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan was “critical for peace, security and stability” and the future of relations between the countries.

Om UNISFA

FN-missionen i Abyei består pr. 31. januar 2015 af knap 4300 personer:

  • 3.941 soldater
  • 111 militærobservatører
  • 25 politifolk
  • 120 civile ansatte
  • 72 lokale civilt ansatte
  • 22 FN-frivillige

Læs mere om UNISFA: http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/unisfa/index.shtml