Security Council

6683^rd Meeting (AM)

Security Council, Recognizing Urgent Need for Sudan, South Sudan to Start

 

‘Border Normalization’, Expands Mandate of Abyei Force to Assist Process

 

Unanimously Adopts Resolution 2024 (2011); Expanded Mandate Includes

Helping Develop Bilateral Mechanisms, Facilitating Liaisons, Building Mutual Trust

Recognizing the urgent need for Sudan and South Sudan to commence the process of border normalization and that the situation in that area constituted a threat to international peace and security, the Security Council today decided to broaden the mandate of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) to include assistance in that process, including supporting the development of effective bilateral management mechanisms, facilitating liaisons and building mutual trust.

Unanimously adopting resolution 2024 (2011), the Council urged Sudan and South Sudan to implement fully their commitments under the agreements of 29 June, which concerned the creation of a safe demilitarized border zone, and 30 July, dealing with establishment of a Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism, and urged those Governments to cooperate fully with each other and provide full support to UNISFA, enabling it to implement its mandate.

The Council also called upon all Member States, in particular Sudan and South Sudan, to ensure the free, unhindered and expeditious movement to and from Abyei and through the Safe Demilitarized Zone of all personnel, equipment, provisions, supplies and other goods, including vehicles, aircraft and spare parts, for the Mission’s exclusive and official use.  UNISFA will also assist the parties in ensuring observance within the Safe Demilitarized Border Zone of the security commitments agreed upon on 29 June and 30 July.

The meeting began at 10:07 a.m. and ended at 10:09 a.m.

Resolution

The full text of resolution 2024 (2011) reads as follows:

“The Security Council,

“Recalling its previous resolutions and its presidential statements on the situation in Sudan and South Sudan, including resolution 1990 (2011), by which the Security Council established the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA),

“Reaffirming its commitment to the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity; and to peace, stability and security throughout the region,

“Commending the assistance provided to the parties by the African Union High-level Implementation Panel and its Chair President Thabo Mbeki, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, Special Representative of the Secretary-General Haile Menkerios, and Head of Mission for the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) Lieutenant General Tadesse Werede Tesfay,

“Welcoming the 29 June Agreement between the Government of the Sudan and the Government of Southern Sudan on Border Security and the Joint Political and Security Mechanism, taking note of the commitment in paragraph 2 to create a safe demilitarized border zone (SDBZ) and further taking note of the request for assistance from the United Nations to provide external support for monitoring and verification in the SDBZ,

“Welcoming the 30 July Agreement on the Border Monitoring Support Mission between the Government of Sudan and the Government of South Sudan, which elaborates on the establishment of a Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JBVMM) with an area of responsibility corresponding to the SDBZ, and a Joint Political and Security Mechanism (JPSM), and taking note of the request by the parties for the assistance of the United Nations to support the operational activities of the JBVMM,

“Underlining the importance of building mutual trust, confidence and an environment which encourages long-term stability and economic development,

“Recognizing the urgent need for Sudan and South Sudan to commence the process of border normalization, and recognizing further that the situation along the border between Sudan and South Sudan constitutes a threat to international peace and security,

“1.   Decides that in addition to the tasks set out in paragraph 2 of resolution 1990, UNISFA’s mandate shall include the following additional tasks in support of the JBVMM; these additional tasks shall be carried out by UNISFA within its authorized capabilities and within an expanded operational area to include the Safe Demilitarized Border Zone, JBVMM headquarters, sector headquarters and team sites:

(a)   Assist the parties in ensuring the observance within the Safe Demilitarized Border Zone of the security commitments agreed upon by them in the above-mentioned 29 June and 30 July Agreements;

(b)   Support the operational activities of the JBVMM, including its sectors and teams, in undertaking verifications, investigations, monitoring, arbitrations, liaison coordinating, reporting, information exchange, patrols, and by providing security as appropriate;

(c)   Assist and advise the JBVMM in its overall coordination of planning monitoring and verification of the implementation of the Joint Position Paper on Border Security of 30 May 2011;

(d)   Assist the JBVMM to maintain the necessary chart, geographical and mapping references, which shall be used for the purpose of monitoring the implementation of paragraph 2 of the Agreement on Border Security and the Joint Political and Security Mechanism of 29 June 2011;

(e)   Facilitate liaison between the parties;

(f)   Support the parties, when requested, in developing effective bilateral management mechanisms along the border;

(g)   Assist in building mutual trust;

“2.   Requests the Governments of South Sudan and Sudan to implement fully their commitments under the above referenced 29 June and 30 July Agreements;

“3.   Calls on all Member States, in particular Sudan and South Sudan, to ensure the free, unhindered and expeditious movement to and from Abyei and throughout the Safe Demilitarized Border Zone of all personnel, as well as equipment, provisions, supplies and other goods, including vehicles, aircraft and spare parts, which are for the exclusive and official use of UNISFA;

“4.   Urges the Government of Sudan and the Government of South Sudan to cooperate fully with each other and provide full support to UNISFA, enabling it to implement fully its mandate;

“5.   Requests the Secretary-General to keep the Council informed of progress in implementing the additional tasks listed in paragraph 1 of this resolution in his regular reports to the Council on the implementation of the UNISFA mandate, to bring to the Council’s immediate attention any serious violations of the above referenced agreements, and to look for and implement ways to strengthen inter‑mission cooperation within the region;

“6.   Decides to remain seized of the matter.”

Background

The Council had before it a report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Abyei (document S/2011/741), which provides an update on developments in the area and on the deployment and operations of the United Nations Interim Security Forces for Abyei (UNISFA) since his previous report of 29 September 2011.

The Secretary-General is encouraged that five months after the Mission’s establishment more than two thirds of authorized troops are on the ground and in the position to secure the Abyei area.  The report highlights developments in the security situation, which remained calm, yet unpredictable. 

Concerning political developments, very little progress was made in the implementation of the 20 June Agreement and the Abyei Area Administration had still not been established.

The Secretary-General’s report also covers developments in the humanitarian situation, the protection of civilians and deployment of UNISFA.  Deeply concerned that Sudan and South Sudan had yet to live up to their 20 June Agreement commitments, he notes the continued presence of armed forces in the area.  He reiterates his urgent call on the two Governments to withdraw their forces immediately from the area and demonstrate the political will necessary to reach a compromise.

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For information media • not an official record