March 11, 2022 — The two Embassies of the United States of America in Sudan and South Sudan have unanimously issued a joint statement urging the peace keeping forces that are deployed in Abyei Administrative Area to use all means possible at their disposal to make sure that innocent civilians are fully protected from harm.
In a joint statement released on Wednesday, the Embassies of United States of America in the Republic of Sudan and of South Sudan expressed condolences to the families of victims killed during clashes between warring communities.
“.. The United States notes with great concern the recent escalation of violence in Abyei and Ngok. We offer our condolences to the families of those killed in the violence”, the statement reads.
According to the Joint statement, the United States supports expanded patrols in Abyei by the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA).
“.. And recalls that UNISFA’s mandate authorities peacekeepers to use all necessary means, which includes the use of forces when required in order to protect civilians under threat of physical violence”,the statement added.
The Embassies of the United States of America calls on conflicting sides to disengage and resort to peaceful means of resolving problems.
“.. We call on all sides to cease reprisals and return to dialogue. We call on the government of Sudan and South Sudan to lend their political support to UNISFA to de-escalate such attacks”,the statement further appealed.
The Abyei Administrative Area is facing two crises, one from the north in which the community is attacked by the neighboring Sudanese communities, and another from neighboring Warrap State.
Abyei remains a contested area between the two countries and peace in the area continued to be monitored by a different UN Peacekeeping mission, the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), as opposed to UNMISS in South Sudan.
Despite political controversies over Abyei by the two countries, Abyei politicians have chosen to be South Sudanese, working for South Sudan government; however, president Salva Kiir exercises caution when it comes to working with politicians from Abyei.
