UNISFA peacekeepers

The UN Security Council has extended the mandate of the United Nations peacekeeping force for Abyei.

In a unanimous vote overnight, the 15-member Council extended the UN Interim Security Force in Abyei until the end of May 2014.

The peacekeeping mission was set up by the Council in June 2011 and its mandate includes overseeing the demilitarization of the area and maintaining security.

“The presence of UNISFA in Abyei area is crucial in maintaining security and avoiding confrontation between South Sudan and Sudan,” a senior member of the SPLM and a prominent member of the Ngok Dinka in Abyei, Edward Lino told Eye Radio.

“If they leave now, both sides may fight because the Dinka are moving forward to the north to their former villages, so UNISFA has to stay. Someone must be in between us and situation is very normal.”

In extending the mandate, the UN Security Council urged Sudan and South Sudan to take all necessary steps to ensure that Abyei is effectively demilitarized.

The Security Council members also urged all Abyei people to exercise behave peacefully and to resist from making inflammatory statements that may lead to violent clashes.

The final status of Abyei is one of the outstanding issues between South Sudan and Sudan.