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14.11.2025 Explanation of Vote for adoption of UNISFA Mandate

Who Permanent Representative, Ambassador Christina Markus   Lassen
Who Permanent Representative, Ambassador Christina Markus   Lassen
When 14.11.2025

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Thank you, Mr. President.

 

Denmark voted in favour of the resolution extending UNISFA’s mandate for another year. We have done so as we strongly believe in UNISFA’s continued important role in Abyei. This includes its essential protection of  civilians mandate and role in promoting peace and stability. 

 

For civilians in Abyei, UNISFA represents safety, protection and international support. For the broader region, it also plays a key stabilising role. This is the mandate established by this Council.

 

The introduction of benchmarks into this text should focus on the fulfilment of this mandate. On the need for the parties to cooperate fully with the Mission. They are not directly linked to the future of the Mission as a whole. Progress towards the benchmarks should be measured in the context of the situations in Sudan and South Sudan respectively, which present practical and political challenges to any progress.

 

Mr. President,

 

While we firmly support the important work undertaken by UNISFA, we must express our deep regret that this resolution has departed from long-established and previously agreed language. Language which, in our view, remains highly relevant to UNISFA’s mandate and our collective objective to bring peace to the area.

 

This includes the deletion or amendment of references to ‘gender’ throughout the text. Weakening this language diminishes key aspects of women’s and girls’ rights as well as those of others who may be in vulnerable or marginalized situations.

 

Specifically in Abyei, this should not undermine the functions of the Mission and resources available to it.  This also includes the important and relevant term of ‘sexual and gender-based violence’.  Reducing this to “sexual violence against women and girls” excludes other forms of violence on the basis of gender, thus narrowing the focus of this Council and our ability to support peace in Abyei.

 

Furthermore, we regret the introduction of new language replacing the term ‘climate change’.  Within Abyei, climate-related pressures interact with existing insecurity. Adverse climate change impacts, including flooding and drought, all well-documented in Abyei, can intensify underlying tensions. We express our disappointment that this reality is not reflected with the generally accepted terminology in our text today.

 

In closing, Mr. President,

 

While we regret these aspects of today’s resolution, Denmark remains committed to supporting UNISFA’s role in ensuring peace and stability in the area.

 

Thank you.

 

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