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Mr. Lacroix briefed on the work of UNISFA, the UN Interim Safety Power within the oil-rich border space, urging the Council to increase its mandate for one more six months, by 15 October.
The Power has supported dialogue between the nomadic Misseriya and pastoral Ngok Dinka communities, together with to handle incidents of violence that occurred in current months.
Lethal violence
Final week alone, 29 folks had been killed, and 30 wounded, in intercommunal clashes.
“These deaths and accidents may have been averted had there been extra belief between the 2 communities in any respect ranges,” mentioned Mr. Lacroix.
Whereas UNISFA has continued its neighborhood engagement, stepped up patrols, and inspired use of battle decision mechanisms, “it’s – at the beginning – for the Governments of the Sudan and South Sudan to resume their engagement on the ultimate standing of Abyei,” he added.
Mr. Lacroix urged ambassadors to proceed to help the Abyei Joint Programme to advertise areas of shared curiosity for the 2 communities, reminiscent of transhumance, border administration, and safety mechanisms for ladies, kids and susceptible teams.
Progress and challenges
Important progress has been made for the reason that programme was proposed in September, and consultations with girls, youth, elders and different neighborhood members at the moment are at a complicated stage.
UNISFA continues to face challenges in documenting human rights violations as a result of a lack of understanding, Mr. Lacroix mentioned, though a staff was granted non permanent visas with the intention to conduct an evaluation mission final month.
“There was additionally small however necessary progress with regard to the Events’ obligations in the direction of bettering the significant participation of ladies in decision-making: within the Ngok Dinka neighborhood, a lady was appointed in every of the 13 conventional courts,” he added.
Humanitarian scenario deteriorating
Mr. Lacroix additional reported that the humanitarian scenario in Abyei has deteriorated since his final briefing in October, with the variety of folks requiring help rising from 103,000 to 240,000.
This was largely as a result of lethal violence between Twic Dinka and Ngok Dinka communities earlier within the 12 months that left greater than 25 folks lifeless, together with two humanitarian employees.
UNISFA additionally helps a Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JBVMM), which ensures peace within the demilitarized zone alongside the border between Sudan and South Sudan.
A brand new pressure is current in JBVMM areas which might be operational and is able to work in all areas beforehand agreed by the events.
Mr. Lacroix concluded by emphasizing the necessity to guarantee the protection and safety of UNISFA peacekeepers. Patrols suffered three direct assaults prior to now two months alone, together with one final week that concerned a rocket-propelled grenade.
Progress on excellent points
The Council was additionally briefed by the brand new UN Particular Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Hannah Teteh, who additionally underlined the necessity to settle the ultimate standing of Abyei.
Addressing progress on excellent points between Sudan and South Sudan, she reported that momentum had decreased within the wake of the October 2021 coup in Khartoum, although preparations are underway for additional engagement.
Ms. Teteh mentioned South Sudan’s President, Salva Kiir, and Sudan’s navy chief, Normal Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, have agreed to deal with cooperation alongside the border, beginning with an method to peace by improvement of “unitized” oil fields, together with in Abyei.
“Pending particulars to be labored out by the respective international ministries of what ‘unitization’ entails, it’s hoped that the proposed method to peace could also be a place to begin not just for addressing the recurrent violence within the Abyei space, but in addition in the direction of the settlement of the ultimate standing of Abyei,” she mentioned.
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