Attachments
I. Introduction
1 . The present report is submitted pursuant to paragraph 5 of Security Council resolution 2708 (2023), in which the Council requested to be informed of progress in implementing the mandate of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA). It covers the period since the issuance of the previous report of the Secretary General (S/2023/777), from 4 October 2023 to 15 April 2024. The report provides updates on, among others, political and security developments, women and young people, peace and security, human rights and the humanitarian situation, as well as on the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism. It also provides updates on the impact of the ongoing conflict in the Sudan on Abyei and on UNISFA operations.
II. Abyei
Political developments
2 . The Abyei political process continued to be affected by the ongoing conflict in the Sudan, with no progress made during the reporting period. The United Nations continued to engage with the Governments of the Sudan and South Sudan to indicate its readiness to support re-engagement on the final status of Abyei and border issues once conditions permit. In this regard, the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations and the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Horn of Africa jointly visited South Sudan and Abyei from 18 to 23 February 2024.
3 . On 10 and 11 January, the President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit, met with the Juba-appointed Chief Administrator of Abyei and South Sudanese state governors, including those for Warrap, Northern Bahr el-Ghazal and Unity States, in Juba, to discuss the heightened intercommunal tensions between Ngok Dinka, Twic Dinka and other communities in Abyei and Warrap State. Following that meeting, on 16 January, the President issued a presidential order calling, inter alia, for the cessation of hostilities, continued engagement towards peace and accountability for those who incite violence.
4 . As at the end of the reporting period, an estimated 1,400 personnel of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces and 300 personnel of the South Sudan National Police Service were stationed in the southern part of Abyei, reflecting the additional troop deployments that took place in late March and early April 2024. Their presence is in violation of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of the Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement on temporary arrangements for the administration and security of the Abyei Area, of 2011, as well as the demilitarized and weapons-free status of Abyei.
5 . UNISFA remained in contact with the Government of the Sudan. It also continued to monitor the conflict in the Sudan with regard to its implications for Abyei and the mission’s operations. During the reporting period, UNISFA leadership also conducted four visits to Juba to meet with senior representatives of the Government of South Sudan, as well as with members of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly who represent Abyei and representatives of the Ngok Dinka and Twic Dinka communities. On 21 February, the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations and the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Horn of Africa, along with the acting Head of Mission and Force Commander of UNISFA, and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for South Sudan and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), met with the President of South Sudan to discuss, inter alia, key matters affecting Abyei, including the ongoing intercommunal tensions in southern Abyei and challenges in the execution of the mission’s mandate as well as that of the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism