Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the head of United Nations peacekeeping operations, urged the government of South Sudan on Tuesday to withdraw its forces from the disputed Abyei area with Sudan, warning that the presence of these forces threatens to “exacerbate tensions” in the region.
During a session of the United Nations Security Council, Lacroix expressed deep concern over the presence of South Sudanese security forces in South Abyei since October 2022, and the deployment of additional armed forces by South Sudan in late March and early April this year.
Since South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011, the status of the Abyei region has remained unresolved.
Juba and Khartoum have been unable to reach an agreement to resolve the ongoing dispute over this oil-rich area, which is home to thousands of peacekeepers.
Abyei often witnesses armed clashes between Sudanese and South Sudanese forces.
The Abyei region, situated between Sudan and South Sudan, has been a longstanding point of contention between the two nations.
Despite efforts to resolve the dispute, including a 2009 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the status of Abyei remains unresolved.
The region is rich in oil reserves, adding to its strategic significance. The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) has been deployed to maintain peace in the area since 2011.
However, sporadic clashes continue to occur, highlighting the challenges in achieving a lasting solution to the Abyei conflict.
The recent call by the United Nations for South Sudan to withdraw its forces underscores the ongoing efforts to address the situation and prevent further escalation of tensions in the region.
