UN Security Council renews Abyei peacekeeping mission, links future to Sudan-South Sudan progress

The vote late on Friday passed 12-0, with Russia, China, and Pakistan abstaining, extending the mission until November 2026. However, the resolution warned that future extensions would be strictly dependent on "demonstrable progress" being made by Sudan and South Sudan.

The United States, which submitted the draft resolution, stated that it negotiated the text based on "reasonable and common-sense benchmarks" to hold the host governments accountable.

Conditions for Future Renewal

Friday’s resolution set specific conditions that Sudan and South Sudan must meet to secure further renewal of the mission's mandate. These benchmarks, agreed upon by the two sides in 2011 when South Sudan gained independence, include:

• The creation of a joint police force for Abyei.

• The complete demilitarisation of the region.

US representative Dorothy Shea emphasized, “These benchmarks will help describe the mission’s impact and provide a critical tool to hold host governments accountable for measurable progress.”

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is now tasked with presenting a report by August 2026 on the tangible progress made by the two countries, which will enable the Security Council to assess the consequences of reducing or reconfiguring the 4,000-strong UNISFA force, which is tasked with protecting civilians.

The renewal of UNISFA is critical as the disputed area continues to suffer from frequent armed clashes. The mission's challenges are compounded by the ongoing civil war that erupted in Sudan in April 2023.

The security situation is further threatened by the presence of Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which have been active in Abyei despite the region being intended as a demilitarized zone. The unrest has already displaced thousands of people and constrained humanitarian access.