UNITED NATIONS: The United States on Wednesday threatened to oppose the renewal of a UN peacekeeping mission to Abyei, a disputed region between war-torn Sudan and South Sudan, unless both sides uphold a 2011 peace deal.
At a UN Security Council meeting, the US ambassador laid down Washington’s conditions for renewing the mandate of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), which expires on November 15.
“We recognize Sudan and South Sudan are facing historic and significant internal challenges and instability. It does not absolve authorities of their responsibility to implement their key commitments under the 2011 peace agreement,” Mike Waltz told the Security Council.
“Sudan and South Sudan must now uphold their commitment to the 2011 peace agreement and UNISFA’s mandate to secure the United States support of this renewal,” he said.
To secure Washington’s support for an extended UNISFA mandate, the neighboring countries need to ensure that Abyei is a demilitarized zone, establish temporary administrative and security arrangements such as a joint Abyei police force, and determine the region’s final status, Waltz said.
