S. Sudan welcomes appointment of UNISFA force commander

February 2, 2022 (JUBA) – South Sudan has welcomed the appointment of a new force commander for United Nations Interim Force for Abyei (UNISFA).

The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Gutterres on Tuesday announced the appointment of Nigeria’s Major General Benjamin Olufemi Sawyerr as force commander for the peacekeeping mission in the disputed region.

Sawyerr succeeded Maj Gen Kefyalew Amde Tessema from Ethiopia.

In an interview with Sudan Tribune on Wednesday, South Sudan’s minister for East African Affairs, Deng Alor Kuol said they would continue to explore ways to expedite the resolution of the conflict in Abyei through a peaceful, fair and viable approach.

 “This is the responsibility to complement efforts of member states to preserve peace and security. As government, we welcome the appointment of the new force commander and will work with him to ensure peace prevails in the area”, he said.

Kuol commended the work of peacekeeping force, pointing to efforts that have been rolled out to curb illicit armed activities north of the area.

“There have been activities in recent past which have caused a great concern to the people of Abyei and neighbouring communities but the leadership of the UNISFA was able to respond and deploy to areas where the incidents were reported and a calm has been restored”, he said.

UNISFA was established on June 27, 2011, in response to the urgent situation in the disputed border area following the eruption of violence between the two nations.

(ST)