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UNISFA/SCPIS/PR/135
Abyei, 17 March 2023 – United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) recently celebrated 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, UNPOL, and civilians. It also coincided with the induction of the Nigerian Base Defence Company into the mission.
In his address, the Acting Force Commander, Major General Benjamin Olufemi Sawyerr, affirmed that regardless of the challenges faced by the mission, the mission has been able to get the 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. “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.
General Sawyerr stated that the mission’s resolve to carry out its protection of civilian mandate, building peace among the various contending communities as well as the mission’s neutrality including its ability to deliver on its mandate was challenged while logistical issues including Airlift capability, accommodation, and road conditions were a nightmare. In addition, Humanitarian Agencies’ presence was almost getting to zero even amid the COVID-19 pandemic when he took over. Meanwhile, the community continually suffered attacks resulting in causalities and many displaced persons.
General Sawyerr denounced the presence of armed groups in the Box and promised to continue to engage the host governments and the communities to find a lasting solution. Consequently, he called on the two host governments and the communities to resume work with UNISFA to revive all mechanisms toward making peace prevail.
The acting Head of Mission called for the convening of meetings of JPSM, AJOC, and operationalization of Athony Airfield, the activation of Sector 1 JVBMM, as well as the appointment of a Deputy Head of Mission, the deployment of a Formed Police unit (FPU) and Abyei Police Service (APS) adding that the mission was also engaging with the office of the Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, the African Union High Implementation Panel, and also with the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD). All geared towards achieving peace in Abyei Box. General Sawyerr affirmed the mission’s commitment to continue to strengthen the Rule of Law promote gender equality and ensure that SGBV is eliminated.
He acknowledged with gratitude the tremendous support from the UN Headquarters through high-level visits, budgetary allocations, and logistics approvals to support mandate implementation. He also applauded the role played by AFPs, OCHA, and NGOs in promoting peace and dialogue and urge the communities, women, and youth to join hands with UNISFA so that a speedy resolution of the station of Abyei will be attained. He also paid tribute to all those who lost their lives in the cause of peace in Abyei.
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