UNISFA decries presence of armed groups in Abyei area
March 19, 2023 (ABYEI) – The Acting Force Commander of the United Nations Mission in Abyei (UNISFA), Major General Benjamin Olufemi Sawyerr has denounced the presence of armed groups in the area.
He was speaking during the recent celebrations to mark the transition of the mission from a single country to a multi-national peacekeeping mission tagged UNISFA Multi-National Day.
The event took place at the mission’s headquarters and was marked with a parade that involved all the components of the mission, military, UN police and civilians.
During the occasion, Sawyerr promised to continue to engage the host governments and the communities to find a lasting solution in Abyei.
He appealed to the two host governments and the communities to resume work with UNISFA to revive all mechanisms toward making peace prevail.
Sawyer said regardless of challenges faced by UNISFA, the mission has been able to get communities into dialogue to reduce unnecessary killings.
“The mission has deployed troops to carry out the protection of civilians (POC) mandate despite the challenges of manpower and equipment and the attacks on peacekeepers. Furthermore, the mission has been able to win the Hearts and Minds of the people with various types of quick impact projects (QIP)s projects and civil-military coordination (CIMIC) activities that have impacted positively the lives of the people of Abyei,” he explained.
Added the official, “We rebuilt schools, established computer labs, and gave scholarships and educational materials to students. We sank boreholes and provided clean water supplies to the communities.
The head of the UN mission in the disputed region also called on the governments of Sudan and South Sudan and the communities to resume work with UNISFA to revive all mechanisms toward making peace prevail.
He further affirmed the mission’s commitment to continue to strengthen the rule of law, promote gender equality and ensure that sexual gender-based violence is eliminated.
The UNISFA Force Commander also applauded the role played by the UN humanitarian agency (OCHA) and non-governmental organisations in promoting peace and dialogue and urged the communities, women, and youth to join hands with UNISFA so that a speedy resolution of the station of Abyei will be attained.
(ST)