New York/IBNS: Sudan’s efforts to stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, are delaying the deployment of fresh United Nations police units in Abyei and the border regions between Sudan and South Sudan, the UN’s peacekeeping chief told the Security Council on Tuesday
Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, updating the Council on the work of the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), said at the local level, the security situation remains volatile. The mission is mandated to protect civilians and humanitarians operating in the area.
He pointed to rising tensions between the pastoral Ngok Dinka and nomadic Misseriya communities, as well growing criminality and the presence of armed elements, including some that have exchanged gunfire with UNISFA troops.
Despite improving relations between Sudan and South Sudan, he added, it is very unlikely that progress will be made in determining the final status of the disputed territory that is administered in effect, as part of both States, given that the African Union Commission and the African Union’s High-Level Implementation Panel are stretched dealing with other priorities.
‘Serious delays’
Against this backdrop, Lacroix said that the deployment of three formed police units is facing “serious delays” due to travel restrictions that the Government of Sudan put into place to combat the novel coronavirus.
“The process for deployment of the first identified FPU from Ethiopia was well advanced by early March with the completion of the pre-deployment visit to the Mission area”, he told Council members, meeting via video-teleconference.
“However, all further steps had to be suspended in view of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak”, he said, adding that while no cases of the virus have been recorded among UNISFA personnel, medical teams are visiting all team sites and sectors to verify the Mission’s state of preparedness.
Coronavirus cases, and deaths in Sudan
The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday reported a total of 275 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 22 deaths in Sudan, and six confirmed cases with no deaths in South Sudan.
Established by the Council through resolution 1990 (2011), UNISFA is mandated under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations to Protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence; and protect the Area from incursions by unauthorized elements and ensure security.
It is also tasked with, among other things, monitoring and verifying the redeployment of armed forces from the Abyei area, in accordance with the 20 June 2011 Agreement between Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, which led to independence in the south, for the world’s youngest nation.
UNISFA’s mandate was last renewed by the Council on 14 November 2019, which through resolution 2497 (2019) called for Sudan and South Sudan to make “measurable progress” on border issues.
At the same time, the Council kept the Mission’s manpower at 2,550 troops and 640 police officers. In doing so, it expressed concern about delays in reaching full police deployment, noting that Khartoum had not promptly issued visas.
New, unprecedented challenges ahead
Lacroix said the months ahead will no doubt pose new and unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but UNISFA will keep engaging with Khartoum and Juba to facilitate implementation of both previous agreements and the Mission’s mandate.
“UNISFA will also continue to play a stabilizing role in the Abyei area and along the border region”, he added.
The meeting also heard from the UN Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Parfair Onanga-Anyanga, who warned that the coronavirus pandemic would have a negative impact on peace processes in both Sudan and South Sudan. His full address to the Council can be viewed below:
Newer articles:
- UNHCR warns of looming humanitarian crisis in South Sudan, amidst ongoing fighting and coronavirus threat - 30/04/2020 04:47
- South Sudan: UN Security Council African members must renew arms embargo - 30/04/2020 04:30
- Fighting Raises Tension Between Government, Rebel Force in South Sudan - 29/04/2020 18:22
- COVID-19 Cases Jump in South Sudan - 29/04/2020 18:22
- Vietnam supports peaceful solution to Sudan, South Sudan conflict - 29/04/2020 03:45
Older news items
- South Sudan to benefit from World Bank's social safety net - 29/04/2020 03:06
- South Sudan Cuts Interest Rate, Reserve Ratio to Buffer Economy - 28/04/2020 05:20
- South Sudan – m–GURUSH launches international remittance service - 28/04/2020 04:43
- Rising hunger feared in South Sudan, says UN official - 28/04/2020 02:16
- Sudan: China Has The Golden Touch - 27/04/2020 22:59
Latest news items (all categories):
- South Sudan’s ‘Game Of Thrones’ Continues – Analysis - 01/12/2024 17:47
- South Sudan secured over 282 150 doses of oral cholera vaccine to contain the cholera outbreak - 01/12/2024 17:43
- The idea of one nation and one people is a distortion of our reality!!! - 29/11/2024 12:54
- In South Sudan with aid boss John Rynne: 'The maps drawn in colonial times are starting to erode' - 29/11/2024 12:47
- 'They have nothing': Aid workers struggle to save lives at edge of war-torn Sudan - 29/11/2024 12:36
Random articles (all categories):
- NO REVANGE,VENGEANCE OR GRUDGE - 27/06/2010 02:44
- Kerry Calls for Speedy Deployment of South Sudan Protection Force - 22/08/2016 11:46
- Chinese peacekeeping taskforce provides help to South Sudan's post-war reconstruction - 21/07/2013 20:13
- Trump Administration Should Finish Job And Permanently Lift Sudan Sanctions - 17/02/2017 14:58
- Sounds Of Silence In The Sudans - 29/12/2020 10:30
Popular articles:
- Who is the darkest person in the world, according to Guinness World Record? - 25/10/2022 02:34 - Read 58396 times
- No oil in troubled waters - 25/03/2014 15:02 - Read 22214 times
- School exam results in South Sudan show decline - 01/04/2012 17:58 - Read 21356 times
- NDSU student from South Sudan receives scholarship - In-Forum - 29/09/2012 01:44 - Read 18879 times
- Top 10 weakest currency exchange rates in Africa in 2023 - 19/07/2023 00:24 - Read 17989 times