UN official warns Security Council of rising armed activity, humanitarian strain in Abyei

Mata Ama Akayapobe, a United Nations official, told the Security Council that the political process between Sudan and South Sudan over Abyei and border issues “remains stalled” since the April 2023 conflict, though both parties indicated in May a willingness to resume contacts with UN and African Union support. She described an escalation of armed actor presence and growing operational and humanitarian constraints for the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA).

UNISFA has reported an increased presence of Rapid Support Forces elements and other armed individuals in northern Abyei, the briefing said, contributing to higher crime and new flashpoints in the Amiat market and the establishment of illegal checkpoints. Mata Ama Akayapobe said armed actors have “arbitrarily arrested local residents, including community protection committee members and some officials appointed by Khartoum,” and reiterated “the call for the immediate withdrawal of all armed forces and other armed actors from Abyei in conformity with the weapon-free status of Abyei.”

The…