Security Council Press Statement on Situation in Abyei

 

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President José Filipe Moraes Cabral ( Portugal):

The members of the Security Council were briefed by Hervé Ladsous, Under Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, on the situation in Abyei, including on recommendations for the expansion of the mandate of the United Nations Interim Security Force in Abyei (UNISFA), on 6 and 11 October 2011.

The members of the Security Council welcomed the rapid deployment of UNISFA and the assistance provided by the Government of Ethiopia, which has enabled regular patrols to be carried out since 23 August.  They encouraged UNISFA to increase its patrols and air mobility, and requested continued reporting to the Security Council.

The members of the Security Council deplored the failure of the Sudan Armed Forces and the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Army to redeploy their forces from the Abyei Area in accordance with the 20 June Agreement on Temporary Arrangements for the Administration and Security of the Abyei Area (S/2011/384) and the 8 September decision of the Abyei Area Joint Oversight Committee (S/2011/593).  The members of the Security Council underscored that there were no pre conditions for the implementation of the agreements signed by the parties, including the withdrawal of forces.  They underscored that both parties shall implement the above-mentioned agreements in spirit and letter, and called upon both parties to redeploy any remaining forces from the Abyei Area immediately and without pre-condition.

The members of the Security Council also called upon both parties to finalize the establishment of the Abyei Area Administration and the Abyei Police Service, and to continue regular meetings of the Abyei Joint Oversight Committee.

The members of the Security Council reiterated that the Government of Sudan and the Government of South Sudan must extend their full cooperation to UNISFA.  They called upon the Government of Sudan to facilitate the deployment of UNISFA by issuing visas to UNISFA personnel and granting flight permissions in a timely fashion, and welcomed the recent issuance of visas for UNISFA support staff.

The members of the Security Council stressed the urgency for both countries to facilitate the safe return of internally displaced persons and provide unfettered humanitarian access to the area.  They emphasized the need for a safe and cooperative migration season.

The members of the Security Council expressed readiness to consider additional mandated tasks for UNISFA in support of the 30 July Agreement on the Border Monitoring Support Mission between the Government of Sudan and the Government of South Sudan (S/2001/510), and in this regard reiterated the importance of all parties fulfilling the commitments already undertaken in the above-referenced agreements.

The members of the Security Council affirmed the importance and urgency for the Comprehensive Peace Agreement [CPA] Parties, including during their negotiations under the auspices of the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel and its Chair, President Thabo Mbeki, to resolve peacefully all outstanding CPA issues, including the final status of Abyei.  In this regard, the members of the Security Council welcomed the 9 October meeting between the Presidents of Sudan and South Sudan as a sign of their intention to develop good-neighbourly relations and to fully implement their agreements on interim arrangements for Abyei.  They urged both Governments to pursue this dialogue, including through regular meetings of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism, which should deliver tangible progress.

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For information media • not an official record