Судан и Южный Судан - Совет Безопасности, 10266-e заседание
Совет Безопасности
Date: 5 November 2026
Language: English
Transcript: https://transcripts.un.org/ru/sc/10266?lang=en
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Speaker 1 [0:00]:

2025/826. In the present year, the Committee has met three times in informal consultations, on 8 May, 31 August and 22 October, in addition to conducting its work through written procedures. During the informal consultations held on 8 May, the Committee heard a presentation by the panel of experts on its mid-term update and discussed two recommendations contained therein. The Committee agreed to take follow-up actions in relation to those two recommendations. On 31 August, the Committee heard presentations by the Panel of Experts on two ad hoc reports submitted pursuant to paragraphs 15 and 16 of resolution 2801 of 2025 on the following topics: dual-use items and precursor chemicals, information sharing and vessel flag state capacity. The Committee also discussed the advice contained in these two reports, consisting of several recommendations, and will be considering follow-up actions in relation to the recommendations addressed to it. On 22 October, the Committee heard a presentation by the Panel of Experts on its final report, and discuss the eight recommendations contained therein. The Committee will be considering follow-up actions in relation to these recommendations. As of today, there are 10 individuals and one entity on the sanctions list of the Committee. Thank you.


Latvia · President of the Security Council [1:41]:

There are no names inscribed on the list of speakers, so the meeting is adjourned. The 10,266 meeting of the Security Council is called to order. The provisional agenda for this meeting is: Reports of the Secretary-General on the Sudan and South Sudan. The agenda is adopted. In accordance with rule 37 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representatives of South Sudan and the Sudan to participate in this meeting. It is so decided. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure, I invite the following briefers to participate in this meeting: Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Department of Peace Operations; and Mr. Guang Song, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Horn of Africa. It is so decided. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of item 2 on the agenda. I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2026/821, the report of the Secretary General on the situation in Abyei. And I now give the floor to Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix.


UN · USG for Peace Operations [4:49]:

Madame President, distinguished members of the Security Council, I thank you for the opportunity to brief the Security Council on the situation in the Abyei area and the implementation of the mandate of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei, UNISFA, during the reporting period from 16 April to 1 October 2026, as reflected in the Secretary-General's report. I would also highlight key developments since the reporting period that have significant implications for UNISFA's mandate. some of which will be addressed in greater detail by my colleague, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Horn of Africa, Mr. Gwan Song. Madam President, I will begin with the drone attacks of 19 October, which introduced a new and concerning dimension to the security landscape in Abiyay. These attacks came amid an already fragile security environment, highlighted by the tragic violence in and around Amjet Common Market on the 15th of September. Together, these incidents underscore both the fragility of stability in the area and the increasingly complex environment in which UNISFA operates. They demonstrate that threats to stability in IBA are evolving, extending beyond traditional intercommunal dynamics, and are increasingly influenced by wider political and economic regional conflicts. At the same time, it is important to recognize that these very serious incidents occurred against the broader backdrop of improved security trends. During the reporting period, recorded security incidents declined by approximately 32% compared with the same period in 2025. The migration season concluded without cattle-related violence and without migration-related fatalities. Local peace mechanisms demonstrated their resilience, while Sudan and South Sudan resumed formal political and security engagement through the Joint Political and Security Mechanism, JPSM, for the first time since January 2023. My principal message to the Council today is straightforward: UNISFA is delivering tangible results, and the benchmarks are generating measurable progress. However, The environment in which the mission operates is becoming more complex, not less. Therefore, UNISFA needs the Council's support now more than ever. Madam President, let me begin with mandate implementation. The most significant achievement of the reporting period was the preservation of general stability despite a challenging regional environment. UNISFA maintained proactive deployments across all sectors, sustained freedom of movement, supported local dialogue mechanisms, facilitated seasonal migration arrangements, and strengthened community-based protection structures. These efforts contributed to a reduction in security incidents from 282 during the comparable period in 2025 to 191 as of 1st of October 2026. Importantly, there were no cattle-related violence, violent incidents, and no migration-related loss of life during the migration season. These outcomes matter. For communities in Abyei, peaceful migration is not simply a security indicator. It is fundamental to livelihoods, food security, and social cohesion. The absence of violence during the migration season is a result of years of investment in dialogue, confidence building and preventing engagement by local communities, traditional leaders, and UNISFA. UNISFA also continued to support the rule of law benchmark. In the absence of the Abyei police service, community-based mechanisms remain the primary providers of policing and public order functions. More than 1,500 community volunteers continue to perform these responsibilities throughout the area. During the reporting period, UNISFA conducted 83 training sessions for over 1,400 participants, strengthened accountability mechanisms, supported detention oversight, and advanced preparations for the deployment of the first full police unit, or FPU. The introduction of the FPU will represent an important step toward strengthening public order capacities, enhancing civilian protection, and improving the mission's ability to respond to emerging security challenges in key population centers. The mission also maintained its support to local peace architecture. The Joint Community Peace Committee, youth dialogue mechanisms, migration conferences, and traditional dispute resolution structures continue to play an indispensable role in containing tensions and preventing escalation. Their contributions were particularly important given continuing uncertainty surrounding Abyei's final status and governance arrangements. Presidents, while these achievements are significant, they should not obscure the challenges that remain. The security situation remains fragile. The most serious incident, confirmed by UNISFA's recent assessment, occurred on 15 September in and around Amiyet Common Market. Violence involving members of the Gokinka, Misseria, and Nuwa communities resulted in 124 fatalities and 40 injuries, including 96 deaths and 39 injuries within the market itself. UNISFA responded rapidly by reinforcing deployments, stabilizing the situation, and engaging community leaders to prevent further escalation. This was followed by another serious incident on the 19th of October, when drone strikes triggered major fires, resulting in at last 30 confirmed fatalities, with UNICEF continuing to verify whether the death toll may be higher, approximately 59 injuries, and the displacement of dozens of civilians. Taken together, these incidents raise broader strategic concerns regarding the changing nature of insecurity in Abiyei. Abiyei market has evolved far beyond its traditional role as a trading center. Today, it serves simultaneously as Abiyei's principal economic hub, a major transit point for refugees and returnees fleeing the conflict in Sudan and Yemen, a critical cross-border commercial center, and an area where multiple political, security, and economic interests increasingly intersect. More than 49,000 refugees and returnees from Sudan have transited through Amiet since the conflict began. The implications are significant. First, economic competition is increasingly intersecting with communal and political functions. Second, Developments linked to the conflict in Sudan and dynamics in South Sudan are increasingly influencing local dynamics within Abyei. Third, the concentration of trade, population, and movement, and commercial activity is creating opportunities for criminal networks and armed actors to exert influence. As a result, instability in Abyei carries consequences that extend beyond Abyei area itself. It could affect cross-border trade, migration routes, local livelihoods, Sudan-South Sudan relations, and the wider stability of the border region. Managing these dynamics will be central to preserving stability in Abyei moving forward. Madam President, the reporting period also saw some important political developments. Most notably, the 17th meeting of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism took place in Juba on the 10th of August, the first such meeting since January 2023. The meeting brought together senior representatives of Sudan and South Sudan and produced agreements to advance dialogue on Abyei, bilateral security arrangements, and the future of the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism. A second JDSM meeting is scheduled for 8-10 November in Khartoum. And I hope that the two governments will use that opportunity to agree on the way forward, including on the next steps for the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism, or JBVMM. We also welcome efforts by both Sudan and South Sudan to revitalize the Abia Joint Oversight Committee. A functioning AJOC remains essential. It is one of the few agreed bilateral mechanisms capable of addressing practical governance administrative, and security issues in Abyei. Its revitalization provides an opportunity to rebuild confidence and address outstanding issues through dialogue rather than unilateral action. At the same time, these encouraging developments face new challenges. The reported appointment by the Rapid Support Forces of its own representative to the Abyei Joint Oversight Committee risks creating competing claims of authority and representation. Such actions have the potential to undermine established mechanisms agreed between Sudan and South Sudan, and to draw Abyei further into the dynamics of the conflict in Sudan. This development is particularly concerning because it coincides with increasingly political sensitivities regarding Abyei's governance arrangements and participation in South Sudan's planned elections. The Council will appreciate that parallel claims to representation, if not managed carefully, risk eroding confidence in established institutions, complicating consensus building, and increasing tensions among all actors. Madam President, the implementation of the Council's benchmarks yields several strategic lessons that should inform discussions regarding the future of UNISFA and any successor mandate. First, The benchmark framework has worked. While progress remains uneven, the benchmarks have provided a clear structure for engagement and accountability. They have helped generate movement on issues that had remained dormant for years, including the resumption of the joint political and security mechanism and renewed discussions of bilateral security arrangements. Second, community-based stabilization works. The peaceful migration season Reduced levels of intercommunal violence and the effectiveness of local peace mechanisms demonstrate the value of sustained investment in dialogue, mediation, early warning, and conflict prevention. These capabilities would remain central to future mandate implementation. Third, protection of civilians in Abyei increasingly requires an integrated approach. Military deployments remain essential, but lasting outcomes are achieved when security measures are combined with political engagement, rule of law support, community dialogue, and local conflict resolution mechanisms. UNISFA's experience during this reporting period strongly reinforces this lesson. The mission's experience also underscores the importance of continuous adaptation. As threats evolve, including through the growing use of emerging technologies and new patterns of violence, UNISFAM must remain sufficiently agile, equipped, and configured to respond effectively while maintaining its core stabilization and protection functions. Fourth, the continued absence of the AVA police service remains a critical gap. Volunteer-based arrangements have provided an important interim solution, but they cannot substitute indefinitely for legitimate and sustainable institutions. Future mandate implementation will continue to require strong police, rule of law, and governance capacities until agreed arrangements are established. It is important to further integrate peacekeeping with peacebuilding, governance, and development efforts by strengthening links between UNISFA and the Abhajan program. Experience from this reporting period demonstrates that durable stability will require progress not only in security, but also in governance, justice, livelihoods, and basic services. Any future transition strategy should therefore be closely linked to strengthening the longer-term United Nations presence and programmatic engagement in Abyei. Finally, Abyei's challenges are becoming increasingly regionalized. The conflict in Sudan, cross-border population movements, economic pressures, and competing political narratives are having a growing influence on local dynamics, and future mandate design was therefore preserved sufficient political, analytical, and protection capacities to address risk that increasingly originate beyond Abyei itself. Madam President, the reporting period demonstrates that UNISFA continues to have a stabilizing effect and remains an indispensable security and political actor in Abyei. Progress has been achieved, but it remains fragile. The violence in Amiet, the continued presence of unauthorized armed actors, the absence of the Abyei Police Service, Unresolved governance questions and the growing interaction between local and regional dynamics all underscore that the conditions necessary for significant adjustments to the mission's configuration do not yet exist. In conclusion, the challenge before us is not simply to sustain stability, but to ensure that UNISFA remains fit for purpose in an increasingly complex and fluid regional environment. As the Council considers the mission’s future mandate, it will be important to preserve the capabilities that have delivered tangible results, including the protection of civilians, support for political dialogue, local conflict resolution mechanisms, rule-of-law institutions, and integrated peacebuilding. At the same time, the mission must retain the flexibility and operational capacity required to address emerging threats, prevent the spillover of regional conflicts into LBA, and support the parties in advancing the benchmarks established by this Council, while improving the conditions necessary for a responsible, gradual, and sustainable transition. Finally, the recent drone attacks, the first of their kind in Abyei, underscore the evolving nature of the threats confronting peace operations. These incidents highlight the urgent need to strengthen UNISCR security measures, situational awareness, and force protection capabilities, including against emerging aerial threats. Ensuring that our peacekeepers have the tools, capacities, and protection required to operate safely is essential to the effective implementation of the mission's mandate. Before I conclude, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Lieutenant General Ganesh Shrestha, who has provided steady leadership during a challenging period. I also wish to recognize a special member for the Horn of Africa, the women and men of UNISFA, and our colleagues in the United Nations country teams in Sudan and South Sudan for their unwavering professionalism, dedication, and service in support of peace and stability in Abyei. And finally, I thank the members of the Security Council for their continued engagement and steadfast support for the mission and its mandate. And I also thank, of course, our true but police contributing countries. Thank you, Madam President.


Latvia · President of the Security Council [21:21]:

I thank Mr. Lacour for his briefing. I will now give the floor to Mr. Guang Tong.


UN · Special Envoy of the SG for the Horn of Africa [21:30]:

Madam President, distinguished members of the Security Council, Thank you for the opportunity to brief the Council on the implementation of resolution 2046, which addresses outstanding bilateral issues between Sudan and South Sudan, as well as the situation in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states. The conflicts in Sudan continues to adversely affect the political, security, economic, and humanitarian relations between Sudan and South Sudan. The foremost challenge in RVA today extends beyond local tensions. A major challenge is safeguarding the recently revitalized bilateral dialogue between Sudan and South Sudan, from the conflicts in Sudan and the political pressures in South Sudan, this process remains indispensable to preserving stability and advancing a political resolution to determine Abyei's final status. The 19th October drone attacks on meat markets are the latest tragic consequence of the spillover from the conflicts in Sudan. This was one of the deadliest incidents in RBA’s history. I strongly condemn these attacks and express my sincere condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wish the injured a speedy and full recovery. I commend UNISFA for its prompt deployments for taking immediate, necessary measures in response to the situation. This incident is a stark reminder that the governments of Sudan and South Sudan must uphold Abyei’s demilitarized status, prevent any further attack, and respect international humanitarian law. I urge prompt an independent investigation into the incident to establish the full facts and hold the perpetrators to account. The drone attacks also compound RVA's already dire humanitarian situation, which is exacerbated by complex, interlinked challenges from the region. To date, More than 50,000 South Sudanese returnees, Sudanese refugees, and other asylum seekers have crossed into South Sudan through Abyei. Attacks on civilians have disrupted livelihoods, while food shortages intensified by the impacts of El Nino have further deepened the vulnerabilities of the local communities. Humanitarian partners sought to provide critical assistance in IBA, including health services, food aid, livelihood support, and emergency shelter. However, finding constraints severely limits their footprints and response capacity. Deadly attacks, such as the one in Amrit markets, have left the scale of humanitarian needs far beyond the limited resources currently available. The tripartite security arrangements among the SAF, ISAF, and SSPDF on the Heglig oil infrastructure continue to hold. However, the September-June attacks on the pipeline in South Kordofan carrying South Sudan's oil demonstrate the vulnerability of oil infrastructure to the ongoing conflicts in Sudan. Madam President, on 8 July, I attended the African Union Peace and Security Council session on the situation in RBA. I briefed the Council on the need to insulate RBA from the ongoing political and security crisis in Sudan and South Sudan. I emphasized the importance of coordinated UN, AU, IGAD support to resume dialogue between Sudan and South Sudan. I also stressed the importance of progress on benchmarks related to UNICEF's managed renewal to avoid a security vacuum that would be detrimental to peace efforts. To address tensions over the announcement of RBA's participation in South Sudan's upcoming elections, I met with senior government officials from both countries. I call upon them to exercise restraints and resolve their differences amicably. I encourage them to pursue dialogue towards mutually acceptable understanding that would preserve cooperation between the two countries. The differences over the constituency issue for elections have also contributed to tensions between the Ngok Dinka and Twit Dinka communities. These tensions have been exacerbated by the spread of misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech through online platforms the alleged mobilization of proxy arms actors and the potential cross-border spillover of insecurity. Through joint coordinated efforts, AMIS, UNISFA, and my office worked closely with the governments of South Sudan and engaged with different national and local stakeholders to encourage de-escalation and promote dialogue. While these efforts have helped prevent further deterioration, the underlining drivers of the dispute remain unresolved, and the risk of renewed violence remains high. The governments of South Sudan must therefore prioritize preserving social cohesion and preventing inter-communal violence as it addresses the electoral issues. Madam President, As progress advances on the benchmarks for renewing UNICEF's mandate, the governments of Sudan and South Sudan have continued to reaffirm their commitment to preserving RBA as a demilitarized, weapons-free area and to addressing outstanding issues through dialogue. However, tensions between T'witch Dinka and Ngok Dinka communities as well as clashes involving Misriya, Nuba, and Ngok Dinka groups in and around Amid markets in September continued to impede stabilization efforts. These developments, coupled with increased movements of the ISF, SSPDF, and other arms elements within the RBA box, threaten to undermine efforts by UNISFA, the Abyei Area Special Administration, and traditional leaders to maintain the area's demilitarized status. The resumption of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism meeting in Juba in August after a lengthy pause since 2023 marked an important step towards restoring bilateral dialogue and cooperation. The meeting reflected both countries' renewed commitments to strengthening dialogue and coordination, particularly on cross-border challenges and shared security concerns. We welcome the positive momentum and renewed optimism this engagement has generated However, the follow-on meeting scheduled for 20th October has now been postponed to 8 to 10th November. Progress on broader political and institutional arrangements has remained limited. Key mechanisms envisaged under previous agreements, particularly the RBA Joint Oversight Committee, a joke, have been inactive since 2017. In October, Sudan's Minister of Foreign Affairs committed to supporting the ad hoc mechanism after reports of a reshuffle and the appointments of new committee co-chairs in September. Meanwhile, the ISF's interest in engaging RVA affairs and its parallel appointments of an ad hoc co-chair in August remain outside the framework of the signed agreements and subsequent mechanisms between the two countries. My office engaged officials of governments of Sudan and South Sudan on reactivating ad hoc meetings, where both sides expressed willingness to engage. This has yet to translate into concrete action. Madam President, The resolution of RBA's final status as envisaged under the RBA protocol of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement remains the most significant unresolved issue between Sudan and South Sudan. The process remains hampered by an apparent lack of genuine political will. influenced by their ongoing domestic security and political dynamics, a stalled RBA referendum process, and divergent positions on joint administration and peace, among other factors. South Sudan's high-level committee on RBA's final status has continued engaging with regional and international partners to seek support for revitalizing the political process and resuming dialogues with Sudan to resolve the final status. In this regard, the appointments and activation of Sudan's corresponding high-level committee on IBA in September is a welcome development. The operationalization of Sudan’s Ajok and high-level RBA committee is encouraging. I call on both governments, with the support of regional and international partners, to strengthen and facilitate the work of the respective high-level committee in pursuit of an amicable, lasting resolution of RBA’s future. I will continue to encourage both governments to facilitate regular GPSM and ad hoc meetings, and intensify joint efforts towards implementing outstanding commitments to create conducive conditions for meaningful negotiations on IBE's final status. Madam President, civilians living in the two areas are deeply affected by the war in Sudan, and the wider Kordofan region has become an epicentre of fighting between SAF and ISF. The local population is facing increased insecurity with intensified fighting, including drone strikes, in several localities. In South Kordofan, Continued pressure around Kadugali and Dili, along with the opening of eastern fronts, has impeded the delivery of basic goods. Damage to critical transport infrastructure, including the destruction of two bridges on the Kadugali-Dili road, has constrained civilian movement and humanitarian access. In Blue Nile state, fighting around Kumuk, Jisong, and Abao has intensified amid shifting territorial control and clashes between the warring parties. The simultaneous escalation across South Kordofan and Blue Nile states indicates an ongoing struggle to secure territory and consolidate control over border areas and supply lines. Hostilities could potentially expand further, particularly along the eastern fronts in South Kordofan and Kumuk border areas in Blue Nile State. The humanitarian consequences are increasingly severe. From January to September 2026, 99,000 277 people were reportedly displaced in Blue Nile State. Across the Kordofan States, 308,000 people have been reportedly displaced since October 2025. These displacements are compounding already limited access to essential services, damage to healthcare facilities, water sources, and transport infrastructure has further increased civilian vulnerability. A settlement in South Kordofan and the Blue Nile cannot be separated from a national political settlement and the establishment of governance arrangements that address long-standing center-peripheral grievances and power imbalances. Such arrangements should enable a more equitable allocation of resources to excluded communities and territories. Mediation efforts should work towards a political process that also provides an opportunity to address the long-standing status of South Kordofan and the Blue Nile, which was initially addressed under the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement. In this regard, I will continue to support the Secretary-General’s personal envoy for Sudan, Mr. Pika Haavisto, who is leading the UN’s efforts to help secure a cessation of hostilities in Sudan and establish a political transition process that addresses the root causes of the conflicts, including in South Kordofan and the Blue Nile states. Madam President, distinguished members of the Security Council, The longer the implementation of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement and 2011 Temporary Arrangements remains outstanding, the greater the likelihood of further complexity through the population’s increasing despair and desperation, heightened inter-communal interstate fragilities, deteriorating cross-border security, and renewed violence in RWA and the two areas. The attacks on Kadugli camp and the Amrit markets underscore the increasing nexus between conflict dynamics in Sudan and resolution of RWA's final status. There is therefore the urgent need to redouble our collective diplomatic efforts to protect IBA from being fully drawn into Sudan's conflicts ecosystem. The positive momentum that was generated by the resumption of the GPSM meeting must be built upon and sustained. The parties' renewed engagement also underscores the importance of restoring political dialogue and revitalizing existing bilateral mechanisms to address outstanding security, governance, and administrative issues in RBA while advancing efforts towards mutually agreed settlements of the final status. In this regard, I will continue to engage with the governments of Sudan and South Sudan to enhance their bilateral efforts and work with UNICEF and RBA administrative and community leaders to progress the RBA file. I will also continue to work collaboratively with the African Union, EGAD, and the other international partners in these endeavours. I thank you for your attention.


Latvia · President of the Security Council [40:14]:

I thank Mr. Song for his briefing. I now give the floor to those Council members who wish to make statements. I give the floor to the representative of the United States.


United States of America [40:28]:

Thank you, President, and thank you, Under-Secretary-General LaCroix and Special Envoy Song, for your very comprehensive briefings. Colleagues, the October 19th attack in Abyei was the second drone strike on UNICEF's area of operations in 10 months. This horrific attack, where 11 drone strikes killed innocent civilians and destroyed critical economic infrastructure, is yet another example of how Sudan and South Sudan are failing the people of Abyei. They deserve better from their leaders, and they deserve more from this Council. The United States sends its deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones, and we wish the injured a full and speedy recovery. We reiterate that attacks on civilians and civilian objects are prohibited under international humanitarian law. We call for a full, transparent, and prompt investigation, and that the perpetrators of such attacks be held accountable. We also commend UNICEF's peacekeepers for their quick response just hours after the attack. Two main failures resulted in this attack. First, Unauthorized actors remain in the Abyei area. Their presence puts civilians in a demilitarized area at grave risk. Second, Sudan and South Sudan still have not settled Abyei’s final status or implemented the political and security arrangements they committed to in the 2011 agreement. The parties must move quickly to ensure Abyei remains stable by withdrawing all unauthorized forces, issuing visas for all UN police, convening regular joint political and security mechanism, and the Abyei Joint Oversight Committee meetings, returning to negotiations on Abyei's final status, establishing the Abyei Police Service, and fully supporting and cooperating with the civilian Deputy Head of Mission once appointed. Every single one of these steps is within their power today. The question is not whether they can, it is whether they will. The UN must also do its part. We urge the Secretariat to move quickly to generate and deploy the first formed police unit and swiftly recruit and appoint a civilian Deputy Head of Mission. For 15 years, this Council accepted slow, incremental steps by the parties. What have they produced? No final status, no demilitarization, no Abyei police service, no deployment of the full authorized UN police ceiling. UNIFSA's mandate gives the Security Council a chance to change this through improved benchmark language that will hold the parties and the UN accountable for real progress related to demilitarization, final status, UN police deployment, and the security and administrative arrangements. We urge this Council to support these benchmarks as the people of Abyei need results, not another mandate renewal that changes nothing. I thank you.


Latvia · President of the Security Council [43:47]:

I thank the representative of the United States for the statement, and I will now give the floor to the representative of Bahrain.


Bahrain [43:56]:

Thank you, Madam President. Allow me to begin by thanking the Republic of Greece for its presidency of the Security Council during the month of October. We wish every success to the Republic of Latvia as it takes up the presidency of the Council and manages the Council's work this month. I'd also like to thank Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, and Mr. Gwan Rong, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Horn of Africa. We thank them for their very informative briefings. We welcome here the participation of the representatives of the Republic of Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan at today's meeting. Madam President, We hope that today's discussions will contribute to strengthening efforts to promote peace and security in the Abyei region, in line with the aspirations of the countries and communities concerned and in furtherance of their shared interests. In this regard, I would like to present three priorities where we believe that we should focus our efforts in the period ahead. First, the resumption of the security and political arrangements between Sudan and South Sudan. It's important to build on the positive momentum generated particularly through the resumption of the meetings of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism between Sudan and South Sudan, which held its 17th meeting on the 10th of August. This was the first such meeting since January 2023. We also encourage the international community to continue to support efforts to facilitate dialogue and build mutual trust between the two parties. In this regard, we welcome the active engagement of the United Nations, the African Union, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, IGAD. We encourage both countries to seize this opportunity to continue their discussions and to make specific progress on resolving outstanding issues, including the status of joint mechanisms and committees. This would, in turn, strengthen good neighbourly relations between the countries and consolidate security, stability, and prosperity in the region. In this regard, we invite all parties to refrain from taking any unilateral steps that could undermine these efforts or have an adverse impact on the prospects for reaching a sustainable settlement here. Second, the protection of civilians and civilian objects. Despite the decline mentioned in the SG’s report relating to security incidents and intercommunal violence, during the last reporting period. The drone attacks, particularly that on 19 October, which left in its wake some civilian casualties, underscore the continued fragility of the security situation. In addition, the continued presence of unauthorised armed elements in some areas continue to pose a threat to peace and security. The Kingdom of Bahrain condemns all of these attacks, and we urge all parties to comply with their commitments under international humanitarian law and relevant resolutions. We invite the parties to take the necessary measures to prevent these attacks recurring and to ensure the protection of civilians and civilian objects. It's important to step up international efforts to support stability and security in the region. In addition, it's important to create the necessary political and security conditions to ensure that humanitarian assistance and basic services can reach all the population in need urgently, without hindrance, particularly the most vulnerable, including women and children. The humanitarian response is an essential component of efforts to protect civilians and to alleviate human suffering, while also enhancing the resilience of local communities, to conclude. We must continue to support the efforts of UNISFA. We welcome the efforts made by UNISFA in conflict prevention and civilian protection, particularly through its patrols and early warning mechanisms. as well as through the support that it provides for intercommunal dialogue and reconciliation, and its monitoring of violations. It's important to allow UNISFA to discharge its mandate fully and effectively. Thank you very much.


Latvia · President of the Security Council [48:59]:

I thank the representative of Bahrain for the statement. I will now give the floor to the representative of the United Kingdom.


United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland [49:08]:

Thank you, Madam President, and let me begin by congratulating you and your team on assuming the presidency. You can count on the United Kingdom's support in the month ahead. And let me also thank Greece for their stewardship of the Council last month. I thank Under-Secretary-General Lacroix and Special Envoy Song for their briefings. I'd like to make three points. First, the United Kingdom remains deeply concerned by insecurity in Abyei and its impact on civilians. Continued violation of Abyei's demilitarized status are unacceptable. The United Kingdom condemns the drone attacks in Abyei Market and Daddash on the 19th of October, which killed and injured civilians and displaced thousands. We are also appalled by the continued prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence, including against children, and the persistent lack of access to justice and accountability. All parties must meet their obligations under international law, protect civilians, and ensure safe and unhindered humanitarian access. Secondly, UNISFA remains essential to stability in Abyei. We welcome progress against some of the benchmarks agreed last year, including towards deploying UNISFA's first formed police unit and appointing a civilian deputy head of mission. But much more needs to be done. Sudan and South Sudan must ensure UNICEF has the access and support it needs to deliver its mandate. All unauthorised armed forces, including the Rapid Support Forces, must withdraw from Abyei. Third, renewed political engagement must now deliver results. The resumption of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism after more than three years is an important step, but dialogue needs to translate into concrete progress. That means addressing the outstanding governance arrangements, resolving disagreement over plans to include Abyei in South Sudan's December elections, and making progress to resolving Abyei's final status. Both parties need to implement their commitments and avoid unilateral actions that risk further instability. President, there is an opportunity for progress in Abyei. Sudan and South Sudan should seize it, with the full support of this Council. I thank you.


Latvia · President of the Security Council [51:29]:

I thank the representative of the United Kingdom for the statement, and I would like to welcome Ambassador Saeed Haider Shah, the new Permanent Representative of Pakistan, to the Security Council, and we look forward to working closely together. I will now give you the floor.


Pakistan · Permanent Representative [51:53]:

Thank you, Madam President, for the warm welcome and kind words. I look forward to working with you and the colleagues around the table during the remainder of our present term of the Council. I also would like to congratulate Latvia on assuming the presidency of the Council and Greece for successfully concluding its presidency last month. I also thank Under-Secretary-General Lacroix and Special Envoy Song for their briefings. Madam President, we commend UNISFA and its peacekeepers for implementing their mandate under exceptionally difficult conditions. The situation in Abyei remains fragile, influenced by the conflict in Sudan, instability in South Sudan, intercommunal tensions, criminality, and the continued presence of unauthorized armed actors. In this challenging environment, UNISFA remains an indispensable stabilizing presence. We welcome the reported decline in security incidents and the peaceful conclusion of the current migration season. These positive developments reflect the mission's preventive deployments, sustained patrols, and effective community engagement. Around 600 Pakistani peacekeeper Peacekeepers continue to contribute to these efforts, including through community engagement and protection activities. At the same time, the tragic violence at Amiyat Market on 15 September, which claimed approximately 40 lives, and on 19 October, which resulted in loss of more than 150 lives, remind us of the fragility of these gains. Continued vigilance and sustained engagement with local communities remain essential. Madam President, Pakistan welcomes the meaningful progress recorded against several benchmarks established by resolution 2802. The renewed high-level engagement between Sudan and South Sudan in July, followed by the resumption of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism in August after more than three years, is particularly encouraging. We also welcome South Sudan's commitment to withdraw its forces from Southern Abyei, progress towards the deployment of authorized formed police units, and steps towards appointing a civilian deputy head of mission. These developments demonstrate the value of sustained diplomatic engagement. We encourage Sudan and South Sudan to build on this momentum, including through the Abyei Joint Oversight Committee, and resume substantive dialogue towards a peaceful and mutually acceptable resolution of Abyei's final status with continued support from the United Nations, African Union, IGAD, and regional partners. We recognize that significant challenges remain, particularly regarding the withdrawal of unauthorized armed actors and the establishment of agreed administrative and policing arrangements. We encourage continued practical and sustained progress toward these objectives. We also welcome the progress towards the deployment of the three authorized formed police units, as well as the commitments made by the parties in this regard. Their deployment will be important for strengthening law and order and protecting civilians. It is equally important that the benchmarks and mandates are supported by adequate financial, logistical, and operational resources. Mandated tasks must be matched by the resources necessary for their effective implementation. Madam President, a lasting solution to the situation in Abyei ultimately rests on a peaceful and mutually acceptable settlement of its final status through dialogue between Sudan and South Sudan. Meanwhile, UNISFA remains essential to preserving stability, protecting civilians, and preventing the spillover of regional conflicts into Abyei. Pakistan reaffirms its strong support for the mission and its commitment to lasting peace and stability in the region. I thank you.


Latvia · President of the Security Council [56:20]:

I thank the representative of Pakistan for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of the Russian Federation.


Russian Federation [56:32]:

Madam President, we are grateful to the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, as well as the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Horn of Africa, Guang Song, for their briefings. We welcome the participation today’s meeting of the representatives of Sudan and South Sudan. The process of arriving at a lasting, definitive resolution to the question of Abyei, including border demarcation between Sudan and South Sudan, unfortunately, is far from complete. This is owing to objective reasons, which are clear to many. The government of Sudan continues to focus on providing and duly stabilizing the situation within their country, first and foremost in the southern regions. And South Sudan has focused attention on preparations for and conduct of the elections scheduled to be held in December, as well as reestablishment of order in the northern states. However, despite these challenges, Khartoum and Juba have managed to make headway towards implementation of the benchmarks which have been enshrined in Security Council resolution 2802. And this is also borne out in the reports of the Secretary-General dating 28 September and 31 August. It is important that Khartoum and Juba have resumed work of the JPSM, and thanks to their constructive mindset, the constructive mindset demonstrated by Sudan and South Sudan, progress has been achieved on the question of the deployment to Abyei of a foreign police contingent, as well as the appointment of a civilian deputy head of mission. The situation in Abyei itself remains restless, but manageable. There are regular outbreaks of tensions, and one such unfortunate example was the attack with the drone on 19 October in Amyet market and Todach, which resulted in numerous civilian casualties with deaths and wounded. And these kinds of incidents start to demonstrate the persistent fragility of the security situation, as well as the need to prevent further escalation. For the purposes of preventing a security vacuum in Abyei, there are several hundred regular army military personnel of South Sudan. We believe that as the security situation improves, And as the necessary conditions are established, Juba will be in a position to take a decision for the withdrawal of their units. We cannot but be concerned by the illegal deployment of RSF elements in Abyei. We call upon UNISFA to refrain from any engagement with them, as well as to resolutely identify and, in conjunction with the Sudanese and South Sudanese parties, to suppress their attempts to legitimize their presence. We have taken note of the plans of the South Sudanese leadership to include Abyei in the electoral map for the upcoming elections in South Sudan scheduled to be held on 22 October. We wish to stress that any decisions that may affect the status of this contested region need to be taken and implemented exclusively on the basis of a mutual understanding between South Sudan and Sudan, and with the presence of the mutual agreement of both states. We view UNISFA as an important factor for the maintenance of stability in the region. Their presence helps to provide for the safety of the local population, and and the establishment of the necessary conditions for progress towards a mutually acceptable solution on Abyei. Any steps to shut down or significantly draw down the mission would be premature, in our view. Its mandate remains relevant until a definitive settlement is arrived at. Russia will continue to advocate for preserving constructive dialogue between Khartoum and Juba, as well as the delivery of the necessary assistance to them. in the quest towards mutually acceptable solutions on ABIA. We trust that the mandate of UNISFA will be extended without problems. We have taken note of the draft resolution submitted by the US penholders. We should like to hope that in work on the text of the document, there will be a continuation of the trend toward rectification of its language. which needs to be more realistic in nature, and the Security Council needs to adopt a balanced approach and to take into account the objective realities which Sudan and South Sudan are facing. Thank you for your attention.


Latvia · President of the Security Council [1:01:29]:

Representative of the Russian Federation for the statement. And I give the floor to the representative of Greece.


Greece [1:01:35]:

Thank you, Madam President. Let me congratulate you and your team for for assuming the presidency of the Council for the month of November, and we wish you every success. I thank USG La Croix and Special Envoy Song for their briefings. Let me begin by condemning the drone attacks of October 19 on the Amiyat common market and Todak area, which killed dozens of civilians, including women and children, and injured many others. We extend our deepest condolences to the victims' families and we wish the injured a swift recovery. We commend UNICEF's immediate emergency response. Attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure are prohibited under international humanitarian law. We call for accountability for those responsible. Madam President, allow me to highlight three points. First, on the political and security situation. Greece welcomes the resumption of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism, which convened in August for the first time since January 2023. We encourage both parties to build on this renewed engagement and translate their commitments into concrete progress. At the same time, the security situation remains fragile. The continued presence of unauthorized armed elements and the absence of agreed governance arrangements undermine stability. We reaffirm that the RBA area must remain demilitarized and free of all forces except UNISFA, and call on all actors to cease all military operations and occupation. We therefore call on both parties to fully implement the 2011 agreement on temporary arrangements for the administration and security of the RBA area and progress towards establishing the RBA police service. We encourage continued engagement by the African Union, IGAD, and the United Nations towards a mutually acceptable settlement on RBA's final status. Second, on the protection of civilians and the humanitarian situation. The protection of civilians must remain at the center of our collective efforts. The recent attacks underscore the urgent need to prevent further escalation. We are particularly alarmed by the reported incidents of sexual and gender-based violence, including against children. Women and girls face disproportionate protection risks, while children remain exposed to violence, displacement, and deprivation of essential services. We emphasize the need for strengthened child protection mechanisms, access to formal justice, and survivor-centered assistance, including medical, psychosocial, and legal support, as well as accountability for violations. Third, on UNICEF's mandate and operational effectiveness. Greece reiterates its strong support for UNISFA and commends its personnel for their dedication under challenging circumstances. The Mission’s preventive deployments, community engagement, and support for intercommunal dialogue have contributed to reducing violence and facilitating peaceful seasonal migration. We specifically welcome progress towards the deployment of the first police unit and the appointment of a civilian deputy head of mission, which would strengthen UNISFA's capacity to implement its mandate effectively. However, restrictions on freedom of movement, staffing shortages, and financial constraints continue to hamper the mission's effectiveness. In addition, we encourage Sudan and South Sudan to reach an agreement on the future of the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism with a view to restoring effective border monitoring. Any future adjustments to UNISFA’s configuration must be guided by conditions on the ground, progress against established benchmarks, and civilian protection needs. The current situation does not yet support significant changes to the mission's mandate or presence. Any premature or substantial reduction could create a serious security and protection vacuum, particularly affecting women, children, and displaced persons. Madam President, lasting stability in Abyei requires sustained political commitment and regional cooperation. Greece looks forward to the renewal of UNISFA’s mandate and remains committed to supporting the mission and broader efforts towards lasting peace, stability, and security in Abyei. I thank you.


Latvia · President of the Security Council [1:06:48]:

I thank the representative of Greece for the statement, and I will now give the floor to the representative of China.


China [1:06:58]:

Madam President, I congratulate Latvia on assuming the presidency of the Security Council for this month. The Chinese delegation will fully cooperate with you and your colleagues. I would also like to take this opportunity to commend Greece for its work as president of last month. I thank USG Lacroix and Special Envoy Zong Guan for their briefings, and welcome the representatives of the Sudan and South Sudan to this meeting. With the joint efforts of the Sudan, South Sudan, the United Nations, and other parties, the political process in Abyei has registered new progress. That said, the security and humanitarian situation there is still at risk of deterioration. All parties should strengthen communication and cooperation to promote stability and advance the political process in Abyei. I will share four points. First, we must stay committed to the political settlement of the question of Abyei. China welcomes the fact that the Sudan and South Sudan recently resumed the regular meetings of JPSM and made multiple achievements. We encourage both parties to keep the positive momentum and steadily advance the political process in RBA. We support Special Envoy Cong Guan in strengthening coordination with AU and IGAD to facilitate the settlement of the final status of RBA. The international community should genuinely respect the sovereignty and ownership of the Sudan and South Sudan, give full consideration to the difficulties faced by both countries, keep the necessary patience and realistic expectations, and refrain from gaining results in haste, let alone imposing any solutions. Second, we must safeguard peace and stability in Abyei. Recently, The Amrit market in Abiyei was under drone attack, which caused heavy civilian casualties. China expresses deep condolences to the bereaved families and wishes the injured a speedy recovery. China strongly condemns attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure. and urges all parties to cease violence, comply with international humanitarian law, implement the 2011 Agreement on Temporary Arrangements, and preserve RBA’s demilitarized and weapons-free status. RSF and other armed groups must withdraw from RBA without delay and stop interfering with existing governance arrangements. All parties should continue to support Dinka, Misiseria and other ethnic groups in strengthening dialogue, coordination, unity, and mutual trust for the purpose of peaceful and harmonious coexistence. Third, we must safeguard the livelihood and well-being of the population in Abyei. Due to the delay in the political process, Abyei is seriously underdeveloped and very weak in self-sustained growth. China encourages the UN country teams in the Sudan and South Sudan to conduct consultations and coordination with the host governments, and, on that basis, advance the RBA joint programme in an ordinate manner and work with UNICEF to provide public services such as refugee resettlement, poverty reduction, disaster prevention, education, and health care, thereby addressing the root causes of violence. The international community should provide more resources and support to the humanitarian and development agencies still operating in Abyei. Fourth, we must support UNISFA's full implementation of its mandate. China welcomes the Sudanese government's approval of the deployment of UNISFA's FPUs and its commitment to facilitating visa and other arrangements, and commends the consistent support from the Government of South Sudan to the mission. We have noted the suspension of the work of JBVMM and support the exploration by the Secretariat of flexible and feasible options for its resumption on the basis of full communication and consultation with the Sudan and South Sudan. As noted in the SG’s report, shortages in human and financial resources have limited the Mission’s footprint and mandated performance. Member States should provide peacekeeping operations with the necessary resources. President, discussions are ongoing in the Council regarding mandate renewal of UNISFA. As the second largest financial contributor to UNPKOs and a major TCC to UNISFA, China supports the mission's mandate renewal and its continued effective implementation of mandate. as well as its positive contribution to peace and stability in RBA. It is our consistent view that any adjustment by the Council to a mission’s mandate should be based on the progress in the political process and the situation on the ground, and in so doing, the Council should respect the aspirations of host countries, take into account the mission’s performance, and make decisions in a prudent and responsible manner upon full consultation to ensure that such decisions are conducive to lasting peace. China stands ready to work with the international community and continue its constructive role in seeking a proper solution to the question of Abyei at an early date. Thank you, President.


Latvia · President of the Security Council [1:12:20]:

I thank the representative of China for the statement, and I will now give the floor to the representative of Panama.


Panama [1:12:29]:

Thank you, Madam President. We congratulate Latvia on taking up the Council's presidency this month. And we wish you every success, and we reiterate that you have our full support. Panama would like to thank the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, and the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Horn of Africa, Mr. Gwan Kong, for their valuable briefings. We welcome the representatives of Sudan and South Sudan here, who honour us with their participation at this meeting. Abyei remains a territory of profound political and symbolic relevance. In the current context marked by conflict in Sudan and political uncertainty in South Sudan, it is essential to revitalize the bilateral process and make headway towards a negotiated solution on the status of Abyei. Panama takes note of the resumption in August 2026 of the meetings of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism. This development provides an opportunity to restore channels of dialogue and to address pending issues. We encourage the authorities of both countries to follow through on their commitments and to refrain from any unilateral measures that might heighten tensions. In security, while the Secretary General's report describes a 32% fall in security incidents compared with the previous year, the situation remains fragile. This is compounded by the continued presence of unauthorized armed actors and Sudanese and South Sudanese forces in violation of the demilitarized status of Abyei. It must end. In this context, we echo this Council's press statement on the drone attacks on 19 October in the vicinity of Amiet Market and Todach. Panama condemns these attacks on the civilian population, and we reiterate that they must be investigated and those responsible must be held to account. These events underscore the risks facing the population and the importance of preserving Abyei as a demilitarized zone. Restrictions on the freedom of movement of UNISFA are also a source of concern. We urge the parties to withdraw unauthorized forces to guarantee the freedom of movement of the mission and to fully respect its mandate and the Status of Forces Agreement. Madam President. Looking to the forthcoming renewal of the UNISPA mandate, we believe that it is vital that the decisions of this Council be based on an assessment of the progress made and the conditions on the ground. For this reason, the Council should harness the opportunity to design specific, adequate parameters to allow for the objective assessment of such progress. Panama reiterates its support for UNISFA and recognizes the mission's essential role in preventing a greater escalation and protecting the communities. The mission cannot, however, stand as a substitute for the political will of the parties. We urge Sudan and South Sudan to harness bilateral dialogue channels and to, without delay, honour the commitments on demilitarisation, while also particularly on the Abyei police and the provisional arrangements needed for Abyei's administration and security. Thank you.


Latvia · President of the Security Council [1:16:33]:

I thank the representative of Panama for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of France.


France [1:16:42]:

Madam President, First and foremost, I wish to welcome the Greek Presidency of the Security Council this month and to assure you of our full support in presiding over our work during this month. I also wish to thank the Under-Secretary-General, Mr. Jean-Pierre Lagrois, and the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General, Mr. Kwang Song, for their briefings. I also wish to welcome the presence among us of the representatives of South Sudan and Sudan. France, condemns in the strongest terms the spate of drone strikes targeting Amiyat market, which took place on 19 October last. Let us recall the fact that any strikes targeting civilian targets constitute violations of international humanitarian law and constitute war crimes. France calls for light to fully and rapidly be shed upon the perpetrators of these inadmissible strikes. The Security Council meets on a regular basis to address the conflict in Sudan and the situation in South Sudan. These two crises affect the situation in Abyei, which remains precarious. Nevertheless, we applaud the important work of UNISFA, which is preserving stability in the area, which is establishing a key bulwark for the protection of civilian populations. and which is facilitating deliveries of humanitarian assistance despite a deteriorated and volatile regional environment. We recall the fact that we fully support this mission. Regional difficulties notwithstanding, Sudan and South Sudan should continue to undertake efforts to address the situation of the status of Yei. Last year, the Council set out five criteria on the basis of achievement of which the future of the operation would be considered. The Secretary-General’s report last August reflects the fact that results are mixed. We applaud the resumption of the political contacts between the parties, which is an effort that should be continued. Moreover, we hope that the appointment of a Deputy Civilian Head of Mission and the deployment of FPUs will be confirmed soon and will allow for these criteria to be fulfilled. Nevertheless, we must bear in mind the ultimate objective, which is a lasting resolution to the dispute and addressing the status of Abiyay. The presence of UNISFA on the ground is geared towards establishing conducive security conditions for progress to be made, and we wish to continue, and we have a duty to continue to prompt the parties to advance in that direction. Madam President, in addition to ongoing meetings of the JPSM, there's an urgent need for all unauthorized military forces to withdraw from Abiyeh, whose militarized, demilitarized status as set out in the 2011 agreement needs to be respected. The South Sudanese security forces therefore must withdraw. Furthermore, the presence of the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces is completely unacceptable, and their attempt to appoint a representative to the Abyei Joint Oversight Committee is null and void. Madam President, the conflict in Sudan has repercussions in neighbouring states, including in South Sudan, which is already fragile. The presence and efforts of UNISFA do allow for a relative degree of stability in Abiya. It is the responsibility of Sudan and South Sudan to resolve the dispute on the status of Abiya. Thank you.


Latvia · President of the Security Council [1:20:34]:

Representative of France for the statement. And I will now give the floor to the representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.


Democratic Republic of the Congo · A3 [1:20:41]:

Madam President, it's my honour to make this statement on behalf of the A3, namely Liberia, Somalia, and my own country, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We thank the Under-Secretary-General, Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, and Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Mr. Wang Song, for their respective briefings. We also take note of the Secretary-General's report on the situation in Abyei. While we welcome the meaningful steps taken towards benchmark implementation, the peaceful conclusion of the 2025-2026 migration season, and the overall 32% reduction in recorded security incidents, the A3 remains deeply concerned by the enduring fragility of the security and political landscape. Compounding resource constraints, critical staffing shortfalls, and severe funding vacuums continue to challenge UNICEF's operational reach and mandate delivery. Against this backdrop, we wish to underscore the following. First, the priority must remain advancing the political process toward Abyei's final status and sustaining bilateral engagement. The A3 warmly welcomes the reconvening of the 17th meeting of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism in Juba on 10 August this year. This was the first since January 2023, and urges both Sudan and South Sudan to build on this momentum, including during upcoming sessions. In parallel, we reiterate our call for the immediate withdrawal of all unauthorised armed actors from the Abyei area. and for full respect for its demilitarized status in line with the 2011 agreement. We urge that concrete modalities and timelines be agreed upon and implemented without delay. We also remain concerned by the presence of rapid support forces elements in Sector North by the deadly clash in Umm Qariat in May this year and by the announcements regarding representation in the Abyei Joint Oversight Committee, which could risk inflaming political tensions. Furthermore, the establishment of the Abyei Police Service remains urgent. since local community protection committees continue to shoulder law enforcement amid high levels of criminality, with 1,628 offences recorded during this period. Secondly, concerted action is vital to address acute humanitarian vulnerabilities, to protect civilians and advance social cohesion. The deadly violence at Amiet Market on 15 September, resulting in approximately 40 civilian deaths and 100 injuries, starkly underscores how rapidly localized disputes can escalate in the presence of illicit arms. Humanitarian conditions are equally dire, marked notably by a 23% global acute malnutrition rate, recurring waterborne disease outbreaks, and the continuous influx of over 49,000 displaced persons and returnees fleeing the conflict in the Sudan. In this context, we commend UNICEF's community dialogue initiatives, including the successful intercommunal dialogues in Rumajak and Wau, and the integrated peacebuilding work of the Resident Coordinators/ABEA joint programme. However, the international community and donor partners must urgently step forward with sustained, predictable financial support to prevent critical gaps in basic service delivery. Finally, The operational readiness and safety of UNISFA personnel and assets must be fully supported and protected. The A3 welcomes the positive progress made toward deploying the mission’s first Formed Police Unit and advancing the appointment of a civilian Deputy Head of Mission, aided by both governments’ facilitation of visas. We also take note of UNIFPA’s proposed options to reconfigure and revitalize the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism, particularly through remote monitoring and intelligence-led analysis. Nevertheless, we express concern over the ongoing freedom of movement restrictions, such as the SSPDF challenges to UNISFA static positions in sector South. We are also concerned by severe budgetary constraints that have led to a 28.8 per cent civilian vacancy rate and a sharp curtailment in vital mine action service capacity at the onset of the dry season. The A3 reiterates its call for providing UNISFA with adequate, sustainable, and predictable resources to effectively implement its mandate. To conclude, Madam President, the A3 reaffirms its full support to UNISFA and commends the troop and police contributing countries, Special Envoy Mr. Guansong, Acting Head of Mission and Force Commander, Lieutenant General Ganesh Kumar Shrestha, and all mission personnel for their steadfast commitment to peace and civilian protection under taxing circumstances. While UNISFA remains an indispensable pillar of local stability, it cannot substitute the political will and bilateral cooperation required of the parties to resolve Abyei’s final status. Thank you.


Latvia · President of the Security Council [1:26:50]:

I thank the representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo for the statement, and I will now give the floor to the representative of Colombia.


Colombia [1:26:59]:

Thank you, Madam President. Allow me to begin by congratulating you on taking up the Council presidency. We wish you every success. I'd like to express my thanks to USG Lacroix and Special Envoy Guangsong for their briefings, and I greet the delegations joining us at this meeting. I'd like to express our most sincere condolences to the communities of Abyei and the relatives of the victims of the drone attacks on the 19th of October. which caused more than 80 civilian casualties, including women and children. Colombia strongly condemns these attacks that represent a serious violation of international humanitarian law and could amount to war crimes. We call for prompt, exhaustive, independent, impartial investigations and for those responsible to be held to account. Madam President, Civilians in Abyei bear the heaviest toll of the violence. The most recent report by the Secretary General indicates that displacement has affected approximately 20,000 people in an area whose population is estimated at up to some 160,000 inhabitants. Moreover, the food, education, health care, and water constraints persist. This is all happening while the area is receiving thousands of displaced persons fleeing violence in the Sudan and neighboring states, placing additional pressure on the demand for services. In this context, the risk of acute food insecurity and famine stems from the combination of conflict, displacement, and restricted access to food. This is intensified by the adverse impacts of climate change, recurrent flooding, and prolonged dry spells, as well as the effects of the El Niño phenomenon, all factors that further aggravate living conditions and livelihoods. Madam President. My delegation welcomes the meeting of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism held on 10 August, the first such meeting since January 2023. However, almost a year since resolution 2802, progress towards the benchmarks remains limited. Three of the five benchmarks show some progress, but the two most critical issues, that is, the withdrawal of unauthorised forces and the establishment of the Abyei police service, show no substantial change. The attack on the Kadugli base reminds us of the risks facing the mission’s personnel and compels the Council to take appropriate action. For this reason, Colombia hopes that the Council will move towards an effective, results-oriented mission which can translate its mandate into concrete, measurable steps, maintaining its role in supporting civilian protection in Abyei, in ensuring security of its personnel and promoting coordination between the various parties as central to its approach. Now, the effectiveness of the mission is also measured by its ability to protect those facing the greatest risk. UNISCA needs to have specialized results-oriented capacities that allow it to address conflict-related sexual violence, support youth-led processes, and take steps to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change on peace and security in the area. Finally, Colombia calls on Sudan and South Sudan to translate mechanism’s momentum into decisions to define the withdrawal of unauthorised forces, to reactivate the Joint Oversight Committee, to progress in establishing the police service, to facilitate the movement and deployment of personnel, and to address electoral issues within the framework of the mechanism. Thank you.


Latvia · President of the Security Council [1:30:50]:

Thank you for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Denmark.


Denmark [1:30:55]:

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 Tsong and commend UNICEF's personnel as well as troop and police contributing countries for their service. The drone attacks near Amjed Market on 19 October, which killed many civilians, underscored 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 UNICEF's emergency medical assistance, evacuations, and firefighting response. Civilians must be protected, and Abyei must not become another theater 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 an end to 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's of UNISFA, which has helped reduce violence during the reporting period. Decisions on the mission's configurations 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 fulfill their responsibilities. Third. Both parties must make progress on their political and security commitments. We welcome the resumption of the JPSM 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 RVA'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 UNICEF's efforts to support community dialogue, peaceful seasonal migration, and arrangements for sharing resources. Madam President, in closing, Denmark supports the renewal of UNICEF's 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.


Latvia · President of the Security Council; Representative [1:35:22]:

I thank the representative of Denmark for the statement, and I shall now make a statement in my capacity as representative of Latvia. I thank Under-Secretary-General Lacroix and Special Envoy Song for their briefings. and we welcome the participation of representatives of Sudan and South Sudan to this meeting. The situation in Abyei remains fragile, and recent developments remind us how much is at stake. As we approach UNISF’s mandate renewal, we must keep immediate security needs and longer-term political objectives in view. Let me make three points. First, recent events leave no room for complacency. After a largely calm migration season, Abyei has witnessed deeply troubling developments in the past two months. In September, intercommunal violence at Amiet market killed approximately 40 people. A month later, drone attacks near Amiet and Todash killed dozens of civilians, including women and children. We reiterate the Council's strong condemnation of these drone attacks and its call for full, transparent, and prompt investigation. These attacks on civilians are clear violation of international humanitarian law, and those responsible must be held to account. The October attacks remind us that Abyei cannot be insulated from the devastating war in Sudan. The continued presence of Rapid Support Forces elements in northern Abyei further exposes civilians to its consequences. Latvia condemns the continued presence of the South Sudan People's Defense Forces Other South Sudanese security personnel and the Rapid Support Forces inside Abyei, in violation of the 2011 agreement. They must withdraw immediately and without conditions. Against this backdrop, UNISFA continues to play an important stabilizing role. Second, UNISFA must have the means to deliver. The mission's personnel, mobility, and critical capabilities are under pressure. even as threats continue to evolve. Peacekeepers need the necessary resources and capabilities to protect civilians and ensure their own safety and security. This also means leveraging modern technology to strengthen early warning and situational awareness, and exploring practical ways to reduce the mission's vulnerability to drone attacks. We see the value of clear and measurable benchmarks in assessing progress. At the same time, future decisions should remain guided by security conditions on the ground and civilian protection needs. Climate-related risks also matter. Changing rainfall patterns and prolonged dry spells increase pressure on grazing land and water, potentially aggravating intercommunal tensions. Flooding can cut off access routes and restrict peacekeepers' mobility. Women and youth must have a full and equal, meaningful role. in all peace efforts. These priorities must be reflected in the renewed mandate and guide the mission’s work on the ground. Third, renewed political engagement must produce results. We take note of the resumption of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism after more than three years. This provides an opportunity for progress, but sustained engagement and practical follow-through are essential. We urge Sudan and South Sudan to build on their commitments, reactivate joint mechanisms, and advance discussions on outstanding political and security issues in line with the 2011 arrangements. We urge both parties to refrain from any unilateral actions that could further complicate the situation and undermine efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution. We also call for progress on deploying UNISF's mandated formed police units and appointing a civilian deputy head of mission. Both require continued cooperation from the parties and will strengthen the mission's ability to fulfill its mandate. The Council can support this process, but lasting stability depends on sustained political engagement and genuine commitment from Sudan and South Sudan. I now resume my function as President of the Council. I now give the floor to the representative of Sudan.


Sudan [1:40:05]:

Madam President, at the outset, I wish to congratulate you on assuming the presidency of the Security Council for the month of November. We wish you every success in leading the deliberation of the Council. We wish to extend our thanks to the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations and the Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa for their briefings and information on the situation in Abyei, as well as UNISFA activities. We also thank the Secretary-General for his latest report on the situation in Abyei. Madam President, we reiterate our commitment to address the Abyei question through bilateral cooperation, negotiations, and dialogue with the Republic of South Sudan based on the socio-economic and historic ties which we share. We believe that durable peace in Abyei can only be achieved through mutual agreement between both parties to uphold the rights and interests of all local communities. We welcome the mention in the report of the resumption of the security and political engagement between our states, which culminated in the convening of the 17th meeting of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism in Juba on the 10th of August 2026. co-chaired by the Ministers of Defense of our countries, the first such meeting since January 2023. This meeting was an important step towards rebuilding confidence and revitalizing bilateral engagement mechanisms. It was an opportunity to discuss security arrangements in Abay, border cooperation, and the future of the JBVMM. We reiterate our commitment to continue our engagement with South Sudan to address outstanding issues in a spirit of responsibility, partnership, and good neighborliness. Madam President, Sudan is determined to make headway in the political process. The Chairman of Sudan's Transitional Sovereignty Council, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, issued Sovereign Decision No. 400 of 2026 on the establishment of the High-Level Negotiation Team, chaired by Council Member Abdullah Yahya, alongside a number of ministers and high-level officials and local community representatives. This team is tasked with coordination with relevant stakeholders, the United Nations, and regional organizations. It's also tasked with the management of bilateral and multilateral negotiations, engagement with with joint mechanisms and the submission of proposals on negotiations on the final status. The establishment of this team testifies to political will in Sudan. It demonstrates that the issue of Abyei is awarded attention at the highest level of the state. It also testifies to the fact that Sudan is seeking a negotiated, peaceful solution that upholds the legitimate rights of both parties and strengthens security and stability. We look forward to engaging with the Republic of South Sudan, and we hope that the AU, the UN, and the IGAD will continue to play a facilitatory and supporting role. Madam President, Sudan once again reiterates its commitment to legal and security terms of reference governing the situation in Abyei, namely the Protocol to the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, as well as the 2011 Agreement on Temporary Arrangements for the Administration and the Security of the Abyei Area, and relevant Security Council resolutions, namely 2046. They remain the agreed legal framework for the administration of the area and the settlement of its final status. Their provisions cannot be amended nor breached through unilateral action by any party. In this regard, Sudan expresses its growing concern over the decision by South Sudan's National Elections Commission to include Abyei amongst its electoral constituencies for the December 2026 elections. The government of Sudan had issued an official statement on the 13th of July rejecting this step as a violation of the agreement signed between both states. and an attempt to undermine the legal status quo in the area. This is an attempt to prejudge the outcomes of negotiations on final status. Abyei cannot be subject to a fait accompli. Its future must be determined through dialogue and agreement, and not unilateral arrangements or decisions. We call upon South Sudan to abstain from any step that could alter the status of Abyei or complicate a settlement. We call upon the Security Council, the United Nations, and the African Union to commit to the agreed upon terms of reference. Madam President, Sudan takes note of the reference in the SG's report of the reduction of recorded security incidents in Abia by 32% compared to the same period last year. It also reported that no cattle-related violence and no migratory-related loss of life occurred during the migration season. We consider that these are positive developments that underline the importance of communal dialogue and preventive measures, as well as the role undertaken by UNISFA to ensure stabilization and civilian protection. However, we share in the SG’s growing concern over the continuous presence of unauthorized armed elements and forces in the Demilitarized Zone. In this regard, we recall the mention in the SG's report of ongoing presence of South Sudan People's Defence Forces in the southern sector, as well as the establishment of checkpoints and military positions, in addition to incidents which restrict the freedom of movement and operations of UNISFA. We welcome the commitment by South Sudan to withdraw these forces. However, we hope that this commitment will be translated into urgent practical steps, namely since the report clarified that the withdrawal had not begun as of the end of the reporting period. In the same vein, we express utmost concern over the persistent presence of RSF elements in the northern sector and its surroundings, including armed activities and breaches of the security and safety of local populations. We draw attention to the appointment by the RSF on 3 August of its own representative to the Abyei Joint Oversight Committee. a mechanism that was established in accordance with the 2011 agreement between the governments of Sudan and South Sudan. This course of action has no legal validity. It constitutes an attempt by an armed militia to appropriate the competencies and prerogatives of bilateral mechanisms and institutions established through an international agreement. We reiterate our utmost rejection of any attempt to legitimize this presence or treat the militia as a party to legal and administrative arrangements in Abyei. We call for full withdrawal of unauthorized armed actors and forces in the area, north and south, to ensure respect for its status as a demilitarized zone. We reiterate once again that the Government of Sudan deploys no military forces in the demilitarized zone. Madam President, we reiterate our full readiness to implement the security and administrative arrangements in the June 2011 agreement, including the establishment of agreed joint institutions, namely the Abyei administration, the legislative council, and the Abyei police service. The Secretary-General’s report pointed out that no progress had been made in the establishment of the police service, despite its importance to strengthen the rule of law and civilian protection. In this regard, we reiterate our readiness to make headway in the establishment of this service in accordance with agreed arrangements. We call upon South Sudan to cooperate with us to overcome barriers that have curtailed the implementation of this commitment. We reiterate information in the report on the progress made in preparations for the deployment of UNICEF's first formed police unit. We reiterate our government's approval of the deployment of police units authorized by the Security Council. We stand ready to cooperate with the Secretariat to finalize arrangements for the deployment. We reiterate our support for the appointment of a civilian Deputy Head of Mission. We stress that both parties must be engaged in the selection process to strengthen confidence and help realize the goals of the mission. As for the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism, Sudan reiterates the importance of preserving this mechanism and resuming its activities in accordance with relevant bilateral agreements. We consider that any future arrangement on its structure, scope of work, or the reconfiguration of support provided thereto must be undertaken through engagement and agreement between both governments in the framework of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism. Madam President, we regret the violent incidents in Amyet common market on 15 September. As reported in the Security Council’s report, they have killed 40 civilians and injured 100 more. We extend our sincerest condolences to the families of the victims, and we call for strength and reconciliation and dialogue mechanisms. And we reiterate that the Ngok Dinka and Masseria communities share historic ties and interlinked socioeconomic interests. Peaceful coexistence is therefore a cornerstone for stabilization. in Abia. We call upon United Nations agencies and humanitarian and development partners to strengthen assistance provided to all local communities in Abia, and to provide necessary resources to support basic services, livelihoods, and social cohesion. Madam President, we reiterate our appreciation for the role undertaken by the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei. We thank its personnel for their sacrifices and efforts to protect civilians, ensure stabilization, and build intercommunal dialogue. We take note of the operational and financial challenges faced by the mission as reported by the Secretary General, and their impact on its capacity to fulfill its mandate, namely limited demining capacities, deployment, and field operation restrictions. We share the Secretary-General’s assessment that the conditions necessary for significant adjustments to the mission’s configuration do not exist yet, and that any future review of its presence must be based on effective developments on the ground, as well as civilian protection needs. In this regard, Sudan reiterates its readiness to pursue constructive cooperation with the Security Council, the Secretariat, and UNISFA’s leadership to enable the mission to fulfill its mission effectively. I thank you, Madam President.


Latvia · President of the Security Council [1:54:20]:

I thank the representative of Sudan for the statement, and I now give the floor to the representative of South Sudan.


South Sudan [1:54:30]:

Thank you, Madam Chairperson. First, let me congratulate you for assuming the presidency of Security Council for the month of November. I also wish to extend my thanks to the briefers, SG LaCroix and Mr. Guang, for their presentations. Madam President, at the outset, Allow me to express South Sudan's gratitude to the members of this Security Council for their continued support and reaffirm our commitment to working with UNICEF in the implementation of Security Council resolution 2802, 2005. We also appreciate the Secretary-General's report for its balanced and inclusive account. particularly its recognition of the progress achieved during the reporting period. South Sudan acknowledges that such acknowledgement is both encouraging and important in sustaining our collective efforts. Madam President, before addressing the substantive issues, Allow me to pay tribute to the innocent civilians who lost their lives in the recent tragic drone attack at Amrit Market. We strongly condemn the attack. We acknowledge the Council’s statement condemning this reprehensible act and call for a thorough, impartial, and UN-led investigation to establish the fact that and ensure that accountability is sustained. We also wish to honor, to express our honor to the peacekeepers who lost their lives in services of peace under UNICEF mandate. Their sacrifices deserves our deepest respect and recognition. Madam President, at this point, allow me to focus on three issues raised in this Council, important to South Sudan. First, on the demilitarization of Abyei area. South Sudan reiterates its commitment to the relevant demilitarization arrangements. At the same time, we wish to clarify an important geographical distinction concerning the areas referred to in the report as being south of Abyei. The mandate establishing UNISFA in 2011 clearly distinguishes the area south of the River Kire, which falls within the territory of South Sudan, from the Abyei area itself. Accordingly, the presence of South Sudanese forces south of the River Kiir should not be construed as unauthorized military presence in Abyei. We believe that greater geographical precision is necessary in reporting these matters, including in distinguishing between the areas south of the river and those locations within Abéy where a limited presence of SSPDF personnel has been maintained following the intercommunal violence in 2022. This limited presence has contributed to stabilizing the situation and protecting civilians. Our position is that civilian protections and peaceful coexistence must remain paramount, particularly in areas where UNIFOR’s operational capacity does not yet permit it to fully discharge its security responsibilities. Second, on the questions of elections in Abyei. South Sudan has taken note of the concerns expressed regarding the conduct of elections in Abyei. However, We wish to reiterate that these questions must be approached within the context of the unresolved final status of Abyei area. Until that status is determined through the agreed process, the rights and interests of the Ngok Dinka, particularly the nine Ngok Shive Doms, cannot be disregarded or prejudged. Third, on visas, the deployment of police personnel and appointment of civilian deputy head of mission. South Sudan does not accept allegations of violations of the Status of Forces Agreement. We maintain that SOFA, UNISFA, personnel are accorded visas and freedom of movement in accordance with the applicable provisions of the agreement. We remain open to addressing any specific concerns through the established channels of consultations and cooperation. As a principle, we welcome the proposed appointment of a civilian deputy head of mission, and reaffirm our readiness to continue working constructively with our partners in Sudan, particularly through the joint political and security mechanism, which activities resumed in August. Madam President, South Sudan remains convinced that the situation in Abyei cannot be sustainably resolved through security arrangements alone. With the support of the African Union, IGAD, and international partners, a durable solution requires renewed political engagement, effective cooperation between two countries, Sudan and South Sudan, and a genuine commitment to resolving the final status of the Abyei area. We therefore call upon the United Nations and this Council to intensify their support for the political process, while ensuring that the mission, the UNISFA, is adequately capacitated to fulfill its mandate. South Sudan remains committed to peace, cooperation, and the search for a mutually acceptable and lasting solution to the question of Abyei. I thank you.


Latvia · President of the Security Council [2:02:36]:

I thank the representative of South Sudan for the statement. There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers, and the meeting is adjourned.