Juba violates agreement with Khartoum, Allows Hemedti’s forces to Enter Abyei

 

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has revealed the increasing presence of South Sudanese security forces and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia in the Abyei area.

 

 

This deployment constitutes a violation of an agreement signed by the Sudanese government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) in 2011 regarding temporary arrangements for administration and security in Abyei.

 

 

In early May, Guterres submitted a report to the UN Security Council on the implementation of the mandate of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), covering the period from October 2, 2024, to April 15, 2025.

 

 

The report stated that South Sudanese security forces, comprising at least 600 soldiers and police, remained deployed in southern Abyei, in violation of the 2011 agreement.

 

 

It noted that this number represents an increase over the previous period covered by the report, as UNISFA sent two notes verbales to Juba protesting the presence of security forces in Abyei.

 

 

The report explained that the mission leadership reiterated the need to withdraw security forces during meetings with southern Sudanese authorities in December 2024, February, and March 2025.

 

 

He revealed that the South Sudanese army had established positions in the Agok area and set up checkpoints at the Atony and Koryuch intersections, and had occupied civilian buildings, including three schools and the Protection Committee center in Agok. The report indicated that the presence of security forces in southern Abyei affects the UNISFA’s ability to patrol south of the Atony Junction and establish an operational base.

 

 

The report stated that the Southern Sudanese Police established a checkpoint in Panakwash, 12 kilometers north of the southernmost point of the Safe Demilitarized Border Zone, imposing restrictions on the movement of Joint Border Monitoring Mechanism patrols, in violation of the Status of Forces Agreement.

 

 

The report confirmed the continued flow of small arms and light weapons into northern Abyei, and there were reports of the presence of Rapid Support Forces militia elements in the Amiet Market.

 

 

The report explained that on March 12, UNISFA intercepted a militia member near its base in Diffra. That same day, two individuals claiming to be the commander and deputy commander of the militia in Diffra, along with a group of protesters, gathered to demand the release of the arrested individual, who was later released. He stated that on March 13, a patrol from the Interim Security Force saw approximately 25 regular personnel and militia soldiers near the village of Mekines in the northern sector, who were said to be investigating a robbery.