Checked Against Delivery
Thank you, Madam President,
Allow me first to pay tribute to the Greek Presidency of the Council of last month, and warmly welcome Latvia in presiding over the Council this month. You can of course count on our support.
I thank USG Lacroix and Special Envoy Cong, and commend UNISFA’s personnel as well as troop- and police-contributing countries for their service. The drone attacks near Amiet Market on 19 October which killed many civilians, underscore the devastating spillover of the war in Sudan into Abyei.
Denmark condemns these attacks in the strongest terms and we call for a prompt investigation and for accountability for those responsible. We commend UNISFA’s emergency medical assistance, evacuations and firefighting response.
Civilians must be protected, and Abyei must not become another theatre of the war in Sudan, nor fall victim to instability in South Sudan.
I have four points.
First, Abyei’s demilitarized status is not optional. We demand the withdrawal of all unauthorized forces and armed elements, including the RSF and the SSPDF. South Sudan must translate its withdrawal commitment into a concrete plan.
All armed actors must bring to an end their military operations in Abyei and end interference with communities and local institutions. And any restrictions by armed elements on UNISFA’s freedom of movement must cease.
Second, Denmark supports the renewal of a properly enabled and fully resourced UNISFA that retains a robust civilian-protection mandate. Recent drone strikes in the area underline the need to assess and address gaps in UNISFA’s capabilities to detect these threats, provide early warning and protect civilians and personnel.
We welcome the preventive deployments and community engagement of UNISFA which has helped reduce violence during the reporting period.
Decisions on the Mission’s configuration must reflect protection needs and current conditions on the ground. Civilians must not bear the consequences of Sudan’s and South Sudan’s failure to fulfil their responsibilities.
Third, both parties must make progress on their political and security commitments. We welcome the resumption of the JPSM [Joint Political and Security Mechanism] in August and we urge the parties to convene its next meeting without delay, and to provide formal feedback on future border-monitoring arrangements and agree on implementation steps.
We also urge the parties to sustain dialogue on Abyei’s final status and agree on interim administrative and security arrangements. Strong African Union engagement coordinated with the Special Envoy and UNISFA, would support this process.
We commend the work of community protection volunteers, but they cannot substitute indefinitely for accountable policing. Preparations for the first formed police unit are encouraging and we call for adequate financing and logistical support to deploy all mandated three authorized units, and we urge parties to issue the necessary visas and clearances.
We encourage both parties to work to establish the Abyei Police Service.
Fourth and finally, malnutrition, disease and displacement are straining Abyei’s limited services, while flooding and prolonged drought undermine livelihoods.
We call for full, safe, rapid and unhindered humanitarian access and for sustained funding for humanitarian assistance. We also commend UNISFA’s efforts to support community dialogue, peaceful seasonal migration and arrangements for sharing resources.
Madam President,
In closing, Denmark supports the renewal of UNISFAs mandate, and the preservation of its essential capabilities. Sudan and South Sudan must fulfil their responsibility, and the Mission’s mandate should be matched by the resources needed to implement it and to protect the people of Abyei.
Thank you.
