UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 15 — The UN Security Council on Friday adopted a resolution to renew the mandate of the UN peacekeeping force in Abyei, a territory contested by Sudan and South Sudan, for another year through Nov. 15, 2026.
Resolution 2802 was adopted with 12 votes in favor and three abstentions from China, Pakistan and Russia. The resolution extends the mandate modification of the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei to the same date.
The council first adjusted UNISFA’s mandate in December 2011 to include support for the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism between Sudan and South Sudan, which gained independence from the former in July 2011.
The resolution expresses the Security Council’s intent to consider further renewal of the mission based on “demonstrable progress” by Sudan and South Sudan, while reaffirming that any decision regarding the mission’s future will remain subject to the council’s determination.
The resolution urges the governments of Sudan and South Sudan to provide full support for the interim force’s mandate and deployment of personnel.
The force was established by the Security Council in June 2011 following a flare-up shortly before South Sudan’s independence. (Xinhua)
