New York, US - The UN Security Council on Thursday extended by five months the mandate the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), which is being contested by Sudan and South Sudan. In a resolution adopted by all its members, the council, however, said the mission’s ability to do its work effectively will depend on the implementation by the two countries of earlier agreements. It therefore demanded that both governments withdraw all remaining military and police personnel from the Abyei area immediately and without preconditions, and urgently finalize the establishment of the Abyei Area Administration and the Abyei Police Service, as agreed on 20 June.

It also urged the two governments to make use of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism to resolve outstanding issues related to finalization of the Safe Demilitarized Border Zone, the resolution of disputed border areas, border demarcation, and the mapping of the border zone.

The Council also called on all member states, particularly the two parties to the Abyei dispute, to ensure free, unhindered and quick movement to and from Abyei and throughout the Safe Demilitarized Border Zone of all UNISFA personnel, equipment and other supplies, including vehicles, aircraft and spare parts, which are for the exclusive use of the peacekeepers.

The resolution requested both governments to fulfil their commitment under their 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement to peacefully resolve the final status of Abyei.

It also urged all concerned parties to allow relief workers safe and unhindered access to civilians in need of assistance, in accordance with international humanitarian law.

The Council further requested the UN Secretary-General to ensure that effective human rights monitoring is carried out in Abyei and the results included in his reports to the Council.

Last week, the Security Council expanded UNISFA’s mandate to include, among other tasks, assisting the two parties to abide by and implement their agreements on the demilitarization of Abyei.

Earlier this month, UN Under Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Herve Ladsous, told the Council that the security situation in Abyei remains fragile, with both South Sudan and Sudan failing to withdraw their armed forces as agreed in June.

UNISFA was established on 27 June by the UN Security Council for an initial six months, following an outbreak of violence after Sudanese troops took control of Abyei area, an action that displaced tens of thousands of people in the weeks before South Sudan became an independent State after seceding from Sudan.

Pana 22/12/2011