Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) will continue to prioritize security and the protection of civilians throughout the Abyei area during and after the mission’s transition into a multinational peacekeeping mission, a Friday press release said.
The force commander and acting mission chief of UNISFA, Maj. Gen. Benjamin Olufemi Sawyerr, gave this assurance while exchanging views with the Khartoum appointed Chief Administrator, Gumaa Dawood Musa, and the Misseriya traditional and community leaders during his second visit to Diffra, Northern Abyei.
“General Sawyer however decried the deteriorating security situation in the Abyei Area since the beginning of February and assured the people that the mission will ensure there are no security gaps despite the troop withdrawal and reconfiguration of the mission,” the statement read.
“General Sawyerr stressed the need to promote dialogue between the two communities and avoid activities that will upset peace and security in the area. He encouraged them to accept the establishment of Community Protection Committees (CPC) and the activation of the early warning system (EWS),” it added.
According to UNISFA, their force commander also met and exchanged views with the Misseriya traditional and community leaders led by paramount chief Muktar. The traditional leaders called for more development in northern Abyei and underscored the importance of complying with the June 2011 agreement between Sudan and Southern Sudan as the only legitimate agreement on Abyei.
“In Todach, General Sawyerr met with representatives of the Misseriya and Ngok Dinka traders operating in the Amiet Market. He charged them to live in peace with one another and avoid conflicts, stressing that as traders, they needed a peaceful environment to carry out their business activities without interruption,” the statement said.
Gen. Sawyerr was accompanied by the deputy force commander, Brig. Gen Syed Mohammod Abu Bakir, UNISFA Police Commissioner Violet Nasambu Lusala, and the Mission’s Chief of Staff Alexander Rose.
Major General Sawyerr officially took over from Ethiopia’s Major General Kefyalew Amde Tessema on 15 March and will lead the newly reconfigured multinational peacekeeping mission.
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