UN Security Council Briefing on the situation concerning Western Sahara

Mr. President,
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the A3, namely Gabon, Kenya, and Ghana. At the outset, we wish to thank the Secretary-General for his report issued as document S/2022/760, as well as Assistant Secretary-General Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee and Special Envoy Hanna Serwaah Tetteh for their insightful briefings on the situation in Abyei and the activities of
the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNIFSA). Our statement will focus on the political, security and humanitarian situations.
 
Mr. President,
On the political front, the A3 welcomes the growing positive relations between Sudan and South Sudan and their commitment towards good neighbourliness, as demonstrated by their continued mutual support towards resolving their respective internal political and security challenges. We urge the two countries to use this new positive momentum to seek a peaceful settlement on the final status of Abyei as provided in the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement. The A3 wishes to discourage any unilateral action by either of the parties and urge them to seek mutual agreement on the Abyei referendum as part of the overall objective of the stabilization process. While A3 welcomes the efforts by the two countries to re-establish discussions on Abyei, it is regrettable that during the reporting period there was no progress in the implementation of the 2011 Agreement on the Temporary Security and Administrative Arrangements for Abyei, or facilitating the longstanding requests of UNISFA that impact on the performance of the mission, including the use of Athony airstrip, the issuance of visas for the Formed Police Units, the appointment of the UNISFA civilian deputy head of mission, or the redeployment of Sector One of the Joint Border Verification Monitoring Mechanism (JBVMM). Regrettably, those who continue to be negatively impacted by the stand-off are the desperate civilians in Abyei, who remain without the provision of any reliable basic essential services.
 
The A3 takes note of the convening of the meeting of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism (JPSM) last May and the recommitment to past agreements, including the re-opening the border crossings. Indeed, the realization of soft borders should remain a strategic objective between the two countries due to their strong mutual interdependence. We therefore urge them to expedite implementation of all the previous recommendations and conclusions of the meetings of the JPSM and the Abyei Joint Oversight Committee (AJOC). Further, the two parties should jointly and in a coordinated manner implement all the protocols of the September 2012 Cooperation Agreements, especially the demarcation of the Safe Demilitarized Border Zone (SDBZ) to allow the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JBVMM) to discharge its mandate effectively. The A3 welcomes the Communique of the African Union Peace and Security Council issued at its 1108th meeting on Abyei, held on 29th September 2022, and reiterate our full support to the work of the AU High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP). We reiterate our call on all international partners to remain engaged diplomatically and politically in support of the dialogue efforts between the two countries and offer any required technical support in the implementation the existing framework agreement.
 
Mr. President,
With regards to the security situation in Abyei, the A3 is deeply concerned about the resurgence of armed violence and intercommunal attacks in Abyei. We strongly condemn the reported violent confrontations, destruction of property and the loss of life. We urge the parties to the conflict to cease hostilities, exercise restraint and pursue dialogue to address their grievances.
The A3 welcomes the establishment of the Community Protection Committees and the convening of the Abyei Joint Traditional Leaders Peace Conference held in Kampala this past May. It is our
belief that frequent and broad-based intercommunal dialogues would go a long way in addressing the existing grievances and tensions among the communities. On the humanitarian situation, the A3 is deeply concern by the worsening humanitarian situation evidenced by the displacement of the population and the lack of access to essential social services, adding to the hardship in the Abyei Area. We are also concerned by the devastating impacts of climate change, which is causing floods, diminishing livelihoods, and increasing competition for scarce resources thereby further driving conflicts and insecurity in Abyei.
 
The A3 therefore welcomes the completion of the document on the Abyei joint programme of the United Nations Country Teams of the Sudan and South Sudan and looks forward to the expeditious implementation of the identified quick impact projects. We further call on Member States and humanitarian agencies to continue to provide the necessary support to the people of Abyei to accord them dignity and alleviate their suffering. As the dry season approaches, we urge UNISFA to implement early interventions including facilitating intercommunal dialogues on transhumance.
 
Finally, Mr. President, the A3 commends UNISFA and the Troop Contributing Countries for their continued commitment to execute the mandate of the mission despite the existing challenges. We condemn the reported attacks directed against UNISFA personnel and facilities. As stated in our statement of 21st April 2022 to this Council, we remain convinced that the realization of the final status of Abyei is the key to any future decision on the withdrawal of UNISFA, taking into account the safety and security of the Abyei residents. The A3 therefore reiterates the need to maintain the presence of UNISFA and welcome the Secretary-General’s proposal for a 12- month mandate cycle for UNISFA in lieu of the current six months, which we believe would greatly help planning and operational purposes. We also urge Sudan and South Sudan to fully cooperate with UNISFA including full respect of the status of forces agreement (SOFA) to enable implementation of mission’s mandate.
 
As I conclude, the A3 wishes to recognize with gratitude the sustained efforts, over the years, by the AU High Implementation Panel chaired by former President Thabo Mbeki, the role of the SecretaryGeneral’s Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, IGAD and regional leaders, which has contributed to the stabilization of the Abyei Area. We encourage the African Union to sustain its efforts to ensure the success of this undertaking, aimed at finding peaceful solutions to the challenges in Abyei.
 
I thank you.