The UN Safety Council says additional extensions would hinge on actual progress between Sudan and South Sudan.
Printed On 15 Nov 2025
The United Nations Safety Council has voted to resume a UN Interim Safety Drive for Abyei (UNISFA), the peacekeeping mission within the oil-rich disputed area between Sudan and South Sudan, for one more yr.
A 12-0 vote late on Friday, which noticed Russia, China and Pakistan abstain, prolonged the mission till November 2026, however warned that progress on ending bloody combating within the area could be essential to any potential future extensions.
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The USA submitted the draft decision that renewed the mandate, which was on account of expire on November 15, and stated it “negotiated this draft in good religion, asking just for affordable and commonsense benchmarks for this mission”.
Friday’s decision acknowledged that additional renewal could be primarily based on “demonstrable progress” by Sudan and South Sudan, together with the creation of a joint police pressure for Abyei and the whole demilitarisation of the area, as agreed upon by the 2 sides in 2011 when South Sudan gained independence.
The 4,000 police and troopers of UNISFA are tasked with defending civilians within the area affected by frequent armed clashes.
UN Secretary-Basic Antonio Guterres is now tasked with presenting a report by August 2026 on whether or not Sudan and South Sudan have made any tangible progress, which might additionally allow the Safety Council to evaluate the implications of lowering the peacekeeping pressure.
“These benchmarks will assist describe the mission’s impression and supply a crucial software to carry host governments accountable for measurable progress,” stated US consultant Dorothy Shea.
UNISFA is a small however politically delicate mission, working in a area the place clashes have displaced 1000’s and humanitarian entry has usually been constrained by an absence of safety and harmful highway circumstances.
Unrest within the disputed space with South Sudan additionally continues at a time when Sudan is devastated by a civil warfare that erupted in April 2023, when two generals began combating over management of the nation.
Sudan’s paramilitary Speedy Assist Forces (RSF), which have been committing atrocities in Darfur and different areas, have additionally been lively in Abyei.
