Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the commander of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) met on Tuesday to discuss the mission operation and the fate of the troubled border region.
The meeting between Acting Minister Deng Dau Deng and Major Gen. Benjamin Olufemi Sawyerr centered on resolving the future of Abyei, which is still disputed by Sudan and South Sudan.
Dau reportedly informed General Olufemi that the Abyei file had been neglected for 12 years.
He requested that UNISFA focus on the ultimate status of Abyei.
Speaking to the press after the meeting, UNISFA’s Public Information Officer and spokesperson, Daniel Adekera, said the two officials deliberated on the mission’s challenges including the issue of obtaining visas for UN staff, as well as the port of entry for UNISFA aircraft.
General Olufemi had requested the government of South Sudan to intervene in the issue.
UNISFA Spokesperson Adekera also told the media that Minister Dau agreed to collaborate and assess the challenges confronting the mission in Abyei.
The Abyei region has since been claimed by both countries and has been a source of conflict – with constant deadly raids blamed on militia groups for many years.
In April 11, South Sudan and Sudan signed a document in Khartoum committing themselves to adhere to Abyei Protocols and peacefully resolve the outstanding issues.
This was after President Salva Kiir and the Chairperson of the Sovereign Council Abdal Fatah al-Burhan discussed the situation in Abyei and measures to enhance border cooperation.
In a bilateral meeting in Juba on January 12, 2023, the two leaders agreed to form a joint security force along the common border and called for the existing mechanisms related to Abyei to reconvene.
However, deadly fighting erupted on April 15, 2023, between the Sudan Armed Force commanded by General al-Burhan and Rapid Support Forces led by General Dagalo – leaving the gains made on Abyei issue in jeopardy.
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