Security Council Press Statement on Abyei

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Matthew Rycroft (United Kingdom):

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the attack by unknown assailants on the residence of the Ngok Dinka Paramount Chief in Abyei Town on 26 November 2015, which resulted in the death of a peacekeeper of the United Nations Interim Force for Abyei (UNISFA) and a child.

The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest condolences and sympathy to the family of the peacekeeper killed and to the Government of Ethiopia, as well as to the family of the child that was killed.

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms all attacks and provocations against UNISFA by armed actors.  They called on the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan to swiftly investigate this attack, with the assistance of UNISFA, and bring the perpetrators to justice.  They stressed that those responsible for the attack must be held accountable.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their full support for UNISFA, as mandated by the Security Council in resolution 2230 (2015), and reiterated that, in accordance with relevant resolutions, the Abyei Area shall be demilitarized from any forces, as well as armed elements of the local communities, other than UNISFA and the Abyei Police Service.