*Statement by Ambassador Usman Jadoon*
*Deputy Permanent Representative of Pakistan* ,
*At the Security Council Briefing on the Situation in Abyei (UNISFA)*
*(5 Nov 2025)*
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Mr. President,
I thank the Secretary-General for his latest report on Abyei and ASG Martha Pobee for her valuable briefing. We welcome the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Mr. Guang Cong, to his new role, and thank him for briefing and assure him of our full cooperation.
2. Pakistan commends all UNISFA personnel for their dedication to duty under difficult circumstances. Our 600 troops in UNISFA continue to uphold the UN flag with professionalism and courage, providing vital protection to civilians and sustaining community dialogue – despite the operational, financial, and logistical challenges.
Mr. President,
3. The situation in Abyei remains fragile. The ongoing conflict in Sudan continues to spill across borders, aggravating insecurity, humanitarian suffering, and arms proliferation. South Sudan’s internal challenges have further complicated the situation. It is not surprising, therefore, that there has been no progress on the final status of Abyei or on border demarcation. Pakistan joins others in urging both Sudan and South Sudan to re-engage in meaningful dialogue, as this remains the only sustainable pathway toward resolving this long-standing issue.
4. Pakistan reaffirms that the 20 June 2011 Agreement must be fully respected. Abyei must remain a demilitarized and weapons-free zone. The continued presence of South Sudanese security forces in southern Abyei violates the Agreement and undermines UNISFA’s mandate. The increased presence of Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sector North has further destabilized the situation. The reporting period saw 127 security incidents with 34 fatalities. We are deeply alarmed by RSF checkpoints, the July attack on the Joint Protection Committee station, and the continued proliferation of small arms. We call for the withdrawal of all unauthorized armed elements, unimpeded freedom of movement for UNISFA, and the immediate return of UN property. The eight United Nations fuel trucks, seized by Rapid Support Forces on 28 February 2025, must be returned to UNISFA without delay, and RSF should be held accountable for attacks on UNISFA.
Mr. President,
5. At the same time, we recognize positive progress at the community level. Relations between the Ngok Dinka and Misseriya have continued to improve, aided by UNISFA’s facilitation of pre- and post-migration conferences and peace dialogues. These are modest yet meaningful gains that deserve full support. The Pakistani contingent has been deeply involved in these community engagements. The international community should sustain these reconciliation and livelihood programmes through predictable funding for the Joint Programme for Abyei, which remains central to peacebuilding and resilience.
6. We remain concerned regarding the mission’s financial situation. While $309.1 million was appropriated for the financial year 2025–26, unpaid assessed contributions already exceed $138 million, with overall peacekeeping arrears nearing $3.9 billion.
7. We encourage all Member States to pay their contributions in full and on time. The Security Council bears primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security – a duty that lies at the very heart of the Charter. UN peacekeeping is one of the Council’s most visible and effective tools for fulfilling that mandate. The Council cannot shy away from its primary responsibility citing financial crisis.
8. Pakistan stresses that UNISFA’s mandate renewal – currently under negotiations – should be smooth. Given the situations in Sudan and South Sudan, our expectations should be based on ground reality. At the same time, we must also realize that in absence of UNISFA the risks are stark: a rapid escalation of intercommunal violence, accelerated arms proliferation, collapse of migration arrangements and security, a sharp deterioration in humanitarian access, and expanding cross-border instability that would outpace any political track.
9. Pakistan echoes the calls to strengthen support for UNISFA so that it can effectively deliver on its mandate. This includes deploying the remaining UNPOL officers and Formed Police Units authorized by the Security Council and supporting the establishment of the Abyei Police Service. The protection of civilians and promotion of rule of law must not suffer due to delays in political settlement.
I thank you.