S/PV.6593 Security Council

I thank you, Sir, for the opportunity to brief the Security Council on the situation in Abyei and the deployment of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA). As Council members are aware, the status of the disputed area of Abyei remains unresolved and is a major source of tension between the Government of the Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement. In May, during the period leading up to the independence of South Sudan, an outbreak of violence culminated in the Sudanese Armed Forces taking control of Abyei town and the entire region north of the Kiir/Bahr el-Arab river and the displacement of the local population. One month ago, pursuant to the 20 June agreement between the parties, the Council authorized the deployment of UNISFA, composed of Ethiopian troops, to monitor and verify the withdrawal of all armed forces from Abyei. The mission will also include up to 50 police officers to support the formation of the Abyei police service and a limited number of civilians to support the Force. I can report that as of yesterday, 26 July, 521 of the 4,200 soldiers authorized for UNISFA had been deployed on the ground, including 411 in Abyei town and 110 in Diffra, in northern Abyei. A further 495 troops are in Kadugli, awaiting deployment to Abyei. We hope to have approximately 1,200 soldiers in the area of operations in order to establish the mission’s initial operating capability by the end of July, in just a few days. It is true that the deployment is encountering a variety of difficulties, and we are working closely with the Government of the Sudan to overcome these challenges. For instance, the lack of sufficient accommodation for troops limits the speed of deployment and will necessitate the construction of additional accommodation once the rainy season ends. In view of the need to proceed with the speedy implementation of the 20 June agreement, we are, as I said, working closely with the Government of the Sudan to ensure that everything possible is done to facilitate UNISFA’s deployment, including a status-of- forces agreement, which is awaiting signature. In the meantime, while the security situation in Abyei remains tense, both sides appear committed to avoiding an escalation of violence and ready to cooperate with UNISFA. The Sudanese Armed Forces retain a considerable presence north of the Kiir/Bahr el-Arab river, but have indicated their intention to withdraw when UNISFA deploys. In the next few days the Head of Mission, Lieutenant General Tesfaye of Ethiopia, will discuss the precise timing of this withdrawal with the parties involved. Two days ago, on 25 July, more than 100 Sudan People’s Liberation Army soldiers were observed south of the river near Banton Bridge. However, the troops pledged not to cross the river and agreed to withdraw upon UNISFA’s deployment. Concerning the humanitarian situation, which was largely described by Under-Secretary-General Valerie Amos in her briefing of the Council on 15 July, an estimated total of 113,000 persons remain displaced from their homes. About 27,000 of those are currently in Agok, south of Abyei, and the rest are in South Sudan, in Warrap, Unity, and Bahr el-Ghazal states. Humanitarian agencies have relocated their personnel in order to provide food, shelter and other emergency aid to the displaced population. As a result of the displacement and destruction in Abyei, food security, shelter and the resumption of livelihoods will be critical needs in Abyei in the future. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights is planning to conduct an assessment mission in Abyei as soon as possible in order to take stock of the events of May and June, including allegations of human rights violations, in furtherance of the Security Council’s request for effective monitoring of respect for human rights in the region. Although the deployment of UNISFA represents a positive step forward, sustained improvement in the security situation clearly will depend on the progress achieved in the political implementation of the 20 June agreement and, eventually, on the overall question of the status of Abyei. In this regard, the parties have exchanged proposals on the composition of the Abyei area administration, but have not yet finalized the appointments. Naturally, we require mutually accepted local authorities in order to ensure liaison with UNISFA in the implementation of its mandate. Those appointments have still not been made, as I said earlier. (spoke in English) Abyei is, of course, a critical component of the larger spectrum of security, political and economic issues that must be resolved between the Sudan and South Sudan, including the demarcation and joint management of the border, the ongoing violence in Southern Kordofan as well as the tensions in Blue Nile and other outstanding post-separation arrangements. In this context, and as previously reported to the Council, we note the signing of agreements on 28 and 29 June, on Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile and on border security, which have provided a useful framework for the continuation of the negotiations. However, the situation in Southern Kordofan remains particularly alarming, and we continue to urge the parties to reach a ceasefire as soon as possible. The 29 June agreement has specific implications for UNISFA, since it requests the Mission to provide force protection for an international border-monitoring verification mission. We are currently consulting with the parties in order to further refine the nature of such a border-verification mission and the possible force protection role of UNISFA. Upon conclusion of these discussions, the Secretary-General will prepare recommendations for consideration by the Council on the further support that the United Nations may provide for the implementation of this mechanism. The signing of a number of agreements over the past several weeks is welcome and shows goodwill on both sides with respect to addressing the security issues between them in a peaceful manner. As we move forward, we must continue to support the parties to reach full agreement on issues that remain unresolved, including on the final status of Abyei. We continue to stress that UNISFA can provide only a temporary solution. More broadly, border disputes, wealth-sharing and citizenship arrangements should be urgently addressed; they have practical concerns for the populations of both countries. The former Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Sudan, Mr. Haile Menkerios, has now been appointed Special Envoy for the Sudan and South Sudan, and will, in coordination with the African Union High-level Implementation Panel (AUHIP), led by former President Mbeki, offer the good offices of the Secretary-General to help facilitate the conclusion of all post-independence issues. In this regard, we call on all members of the Council to coordinate their bilateral support for both the Sudan and South Sudan with the AUHIP and the Special Envoy, Mr. Menkerios, in order to assist in the quick resolution of outstanding issues. The AUHIP, with President Mbeki, will convene with the Governments of the Sudan and South Sudan in Addis Ababa on 28 and 29 July for further discussions and negotiations on security, as well as on transitional financial and currency arrangements. I hope that both sides will seize this important opportunity to resolve their remaining differences.

I thank Mr. Le Roy for his briefing. There are no further speakers inscribed on my list. I now invite Council members to informal consultations to continue our discussions on the subject.