The border region of Abyei has been contested since South Sudan gained independence in 2011. (Courtesy).

A civil society alliance in Abyei Administrative Area is calling on the UN Security Council to pressure the governments of Sudan and South Sudan to withdraw armed forces from the area.

The groups calling themselves Abyei Civil Society Organization voiced concerns and grievances on the continuation of “severe violation” of the UNSC resolution of demilitarization of the area.

The civil society entities say they have been monitoring with deep concern and dismay, the deteriorating security situation in the Abyei region since February 2022.

In a statement dated March 12, 2023, Dr. Rou Manyiel, the head of ACSOs said despite the presence of UN Interim Security Force in the area, the locals are still being attacked by armed people from neighboring Twic in the south and Misseriya militias from the north.

They say the continued attacks are causing deaths, displacements, destruction, and loss of properties of civilians.

According to them, the situation is intensively worsened by the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) refusal to withdraw from Kec/Diffra.

The groups have called on United Nation Security Council UNSC to address the concerns and help arrest the situation from further deterioration.

They further urged the United Nations Security Council to put serious pressure on the government of Sudan to redeploy the so-called oil police from Kec/Diffra outside Abyei Box as required by United Nations Security Council’s Resolutions.

The organizations recommend that UNISFA engages the governments of South Sudan and Sudan to respect the Status of Forces Agreement signed between the Government of South Sudan and UNISFA in 2011 and ensure the area is free of the armed forces.

When contacted, the spokesperson of the national army Major General Lul Ruai Koang denied any presence of SSPDF forces within the Abyei demilitarize zone.

Lul told Eye Radio on Monday that the SSPDF is only present along the Abyei and Twic border where it was deployed to contain the tension between the two communities.