The 15 council members adopted Resolution 2708 (2023) to give the forces one more year and maintain its current authorized troop and police ceilings, in the border region.

The resolution also spells out UNISFA’s mandate modification, which provides for the Force’s support to the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism.

The Security Council urged the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan to provide full support for UNISFA in “implementing its mandate and deploying its personnel, including to facilitate the smooth functioning of all UNISFA bases and the Mechanism’s team sites, in line with their primary responsibility as host States and the Status of Forces Agreements.”

Further, the UN body reiterated that the Abyei area should be demilitarized from any forces, including armed elements of the local communities, other than UNISFA and the Abyei Police Service, when it is gradually established.

The Abyei region has since been claimed by Sudan and South Sudan and has been a source of conflict – with constant deadly raids blamed on militia groups for many years.

On April 11, the two countries signed a document in Khartoum committing themselves to adhere to Abyei Protocols and peacefully resolve the outstanding issues.

This was after President Salva Kiir and the Chairperson of the Sovereign Council Abdal Fatah al-Burhan discussed the region’s situation and measures to enhance border cooperation.

However, deadly fighting erupted on April 15, 2023, between the Sudan Armed Force commanded by General al-Burhan and Rapid Support Forces led by General Dagalo – leaving the gains made on Abyei issue in jeopardy.

Further, communal clashes between armed youth from the region and neighboring Warrap continue to threaten peace and stability.