Sudan and South Sudan clash at UN over Abyei elections and military presence
November 5, 2026 (UNITED NATIONS) – Differences between Sudan and South Sudan over the disputed Abyei region took centre stage at the UN Security Council on Thursday, with Khartoum strongly condemning Juba’s plan to hold elections in the territory.
The Sudanese delegate voiced deep concern over South Sudan’s electoral plans.
“Sudan would like to express its deep concern over the announcement by the National Elections Commission in South Sudan to include the Abyei area within the electoral constituencies for the general elections scheduled for December 2026,” he stated.
He emphasized that the decision undermines the legal status quo of the area under Sudanese sovereignty.
“The government of Sudan announced in an official statement issued on the 13th of last July its rejection of this measure, considering it a violation of the agreements signed between the two countries,” the delegate added, referencing the 2005 agreement that paved the way for South Sudan’s independence.
In response, South Sudan’s representative defended including the territory in the electoral process.
“South Sudan has taken note of the concerns expressed regarding the conduct of elections in Abyei,” the diplomat said.
He stressed that the issue is intimately tied to the broader political stalemate.
“However, we wish to reiterate that these questions must be approached within the context of the unresolved final status of Abyei area,” he argued.
The South Sudanese envoy underscored the need to protect local populations during this interim period.
“Until that status is determined through the agreed process, the rights and interests of the Ngok Dinka, particularly the nine Ngok chiefdoms, cannot be disregarded,” he declared.
Beyond the electoral dispute, the two nations debated ongoing security concerns and unauthorized military deployments in the region, which is monitored by the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA).
While acknowledging a 32 per cent reduction in recorded security incidents and a drop in cattle-related violence, Sudan said it remained concerned about the presence of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) in southern Abyei.
The Sudanese envoy also highlighted the troubling presence of Rapid Support Forces (RSF) elements in the north.
He drew attention to the paramilitary group’s recent appointment of its own representative to the Abyei joint oversight committee.
Juba firmly denied that its armed forces violated the UNISFA mandate.
South Sudan argued that the SSPDF presence south of the River Kiir falls outside the designated Abyei area and serves strictly to stabilize the region and protect civilians.
Both sides also addressed recent violence at the Amiet Market, with South Sudan demanding an impartial UN-led investigation into a tragic drone attack in the area.
Concluding the session, Sudan maintained that conditions on the ground are not yet ready for any adjustments to the UNISFA mandate.
South Sudan urged the UN Security Council to intensify its support for a broader political resolution rather than relying solely on security arrangements.