UNISFA Force in Abyei. (File photo).

The United Nations Security Council has renewed the mandate of its peacekeeping mission in Abyei for another year, until the 15th November 2023.

The Security Council meeting decided that UNISFA and the Secretary-General should continue to implement the mandate and tasks in accordance with 2021 and 2022 resolutions.

The UNISFA mandate is to strengthen the capacity of the Abyei Police Service by providing support, including the training of personnel, and coordinating with the APS on matters of law and order.

It is tasked with monitoring verification of the redeployment of armed forces from the Abyei Area in accordance with the 20 June 2011 Agreement.

The mission will also participate in relevant Abyei Area bodies as stipulated in the Agreement.

The 15-member council urges the governments of Sudan and South Sudan to provide full support for UNISFA in the implementation of its mandate and the deployment of UNISFA personnel.

It further reiterates that the Abyei Area shall be demilitarized from any forces, as well as armed elements of the local communities, other than UNISFA until the Abyei Police Service is gradually established.

The council urges the two governments and the local communities to take all necessary steps in this regard.

It also requested that the Secretary-General continue to inform it of progress in implementing UNISFA’s mandate as set out in the resolutions.

The peacekeeping body called on both countries to reaffirm their strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity of each other.