Khartoum, Sudan — The United Nations Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Guang Cong, has concluded a visit to the contentious region of Abyei, emphasizing the critical need for swift action to preserve peace and stability in the area. During his three-day visit from April 27 to 29, Mr. Cong engaged with Ngok Dinka and Misseriya leaders, civil society representatives, and local authorities, advocating for tangible progress on the benchmarks established by the Security Council.
He recognized the pivotal role of the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) in safeguarding civilians and upholding peace, while acknowledging the fragile nature of recent improvements in community relations. Despite the UNISFA’s efforts, Mr. Cong cautioned that the gains are vulnerable due to ongoing security concerns, including the presence of state and non-state armed actors.
He commended the cooperation between the communities and encouraged all stakeholders to uphold their commitment to peace in Abyei.
The Ngok Dinka community led a peaceful demonstration at the mission headquarters, urging the Security Council to extend UNISFA’s mandate and warning of the potential for renewed violence due to the unresolved final status of Abyei. They called for increased international pressure on Sudan and South Sudan to resolve the issue and for the withdrawal of unauthorized forces from the region.
As UNISFA’s current mandate approaches expiration later this year, its future extensions are contingent upon demonstrable progress on the key benchmarks by the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan. Mr. Cong called for collective responsibility from all parties to advance the benchmarks as requested by the United Nations Security Council.
The international community’s focus on Abyei underscores the urgency of resolving the stalemate in peace talks and preventing further escalation.
The Assistant Secretary — General for Africa, Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, acknowledged the complexities in achieving progress on the final status of Abyei, emphasizing the impact of the conflict in Sudan and political uncertainty in South Sudan on the peace process.
The UN Special Envoy’s visit to Abyei serves as a timely reminder of the need for constructive engagement from all parties to find a lasting solution to the region’s disputes, ensuring stability and prosperity for the people of Abyei and the broader Horn of Africa region.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
—
This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: reliefweb
Source: UN Interim Security Force for Abyei
