Thank you, Mister President.
I would like to thank the Assistant Secretary-General for Africa, Ms. Pobee, for her presentation. I welcome the participation of Sudan and South Sudan in this meeting.
As the Secretary-General highlighted in his report, Abyei remains a victim of the fragile and tense security situation, notably due to the ongoing conflict in Sudan and the political uncertainty in South Sudan.
In the absence of any progress in recent years regarding a political solution to Abyei's final status and to the border issues, and with little prospect for change in the near future, I would like to reiterate three priorities for improving the situation of the affected population:
First, and as my colleagues have also stressed, Abyei must remain a demilitarized and weapons-free zone, in line with the 2011 agreement and binding resolutions of this Council. We remain concerned by the continued presence of South Sudanese security forces in southern Abyei and call for their withdrawal. This presence restricts UNISFA’s freedom of movement and therefore its ability to protect civilians and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid. This is all the more important as the vital supply route through Sudan remains blocked due to the conflict. We also call on Sudan and South Sudan to respect the Status of Forces Agreement and to address related issues concerning the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism.
Second, it is essential to ensure the protection of civilians, as required by international humanitarian law and human rights. We welcome the significant decline in violence between the Ngok Dinka and Misseriya communities in recent months, and commend their commitment to dialogue and reconciliation, as well as the crucial support of UNISFA in this regard. Given the ongoing tensions between the Ngok Dinka, Twic Dinka and Nuer communities in the southern part of Abyei, and warnings of a possible resumption of clashes as the dry season approaches, we stress the need for a preventive engagement for dialogue and the respect of human rights at all levels. Furthermore, the proliferation of weapons, exacerbated by the conflict in Sudan, must be urgently addressed.
Third, the promotion of dialogue and inclusive peace is fundamental to addressing the long-term challenges in Abyei. In this respect, and in the absence of the Abyei Police Service, the Community Protection Committees and the Joint Community Peace Committee play an essential role in terms of early warning, to address human rights issues or sexual and gender-based violence. We commend their work and the support of UNISFA, which ensures that women and youth continue to play a key role. As our President pointed out during last month's open debate on women in peacebuilding: women must not be relegated to secondary roles in political processes and peace-building.
Mister President,
The fragile security situation in Abyei and its impact on civilians demand our continued attention, especially as recent floods, aggravated by climate change, have intensified the humanitarian challenges. We welcome the strong commitment of UNISFA and, with the renewal of the mandate next week, we underline the essential role the mission plays in ensuring peace and security and the protection of civilians in Abyei.
Thank you.