Sudan: UN Security Council unanimously votes in favor of extension of UNISFA May 15

Event

On Friday, May 15, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) unanimously voted to extend the mandate of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) by six months. The UNSC emphasized that the only military allowed in the Abyei region will be UNISFA peacekeepers and the Abyei Police Service. Despite the longstanding presence of UNISFA since 2011, more than 50 people, including women and children, have been killed in the region in the past three months. The majority of the violence is between the Ngok Dink and Misseriya Arab nomads.

Further unrest is likely despite the continued presence of UNISFA peacekeepers.

Advice

Individuals in the area advised to monitor local media sources for further updates and are strongly advised to travel and operate under strict risk management protocols. Travelers should abide by any directives issued by local or UN security forces, and exercise a heightened level of vigilance at all times.