United Nations Security Council Resolution 2575 – Reports of the Secretary-General on the Sudan and South SudanLetter from the President of the Council on the voting outcome (S/2021/450) and voting details (S/2021/458)
Resolution 2575 (2021)
The Security Council,
Reaffirming all previous resolutions and Presidential statements concerning the situation in Abyei and along the border between Sudan and South Sudan and underlining the importance of full compliance with and implementation of these,
Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Sudan and South Sudan,
Welcoming continued cooperation between the Government of the Republic of the Sudan and the Government of the Republic of South Sudan in support of peace, security and stability, encouraging such actions to continue, and urging the parties to make progress establishing temporary administrative and security arrangements for Abyei, and to continue to support development and humanitarian assistance efforts,
Encouraging the African Union, the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP), and the UN Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Horn of Africa to intensify their mediation roles with the Governments of South Sudan and Sudan to strongly encourage them to establish temporary administrative and security arrangements for Abyei as stipulated in the 2011 Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement on Temporary Arrangements for the Administration and Security of the Abyei area and to engage on finding a resolution of the final status of Abyei,
Commending the continued assistance provided to the parties by the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, and the United Nations Interim Security Force f or Abyei (UNISFA),
Recognizing the need to keep under review the configuration of UNISFA to adapt to the current security situation and to develop a viable exit strategy, which prioritizes safety and security of civilians living in Abyei and accounts for the stability of the region, and is based on the improved ability of Sudan and South Sudan to manage bilateral disputes,
Expressing concern that the delayed deployment of UN police to the level authorized by the Council prevents UNISFA from fulfilling its security and protection mandate and holds the potential to create a security vacuum in Abyei, and further expressing concern about Sudan and South Sudan’s efforts to impede UNISFA from fully executing its mandate, including by withholding visas for police, blocking appointment of a civilian Deputy Head of Mission and denying access to Athony airport, which would ease UNISFA’s logistical challenges, reduce transport costs, and enhance safety and security for UNISFA personnel,
Recognizing that the current situation in Abyei and along the border between Sudan and South Sudan continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security,
- Decides to extend until 15 November 2021 the mandate of UNISFA as set out in paragraph 2 of resolution 1990 (2011) and acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, further decides to extend until 15 November 2021 the tasks of UNISFA as set out in paragraph 3 of resolution 1990 (2011), and further decides that UNISFA should continue to implement that mandate and tasks in accordance with resolution 2550 (2020);
2. Decides to extend until 15 November 2021 UNISFA’s mandate modification set forth in resolution 2024 (2011) and paragraph 1 of resolution 2075 (2012), which provides for UNISFA’s support to the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JBVMM), and further decides that UNISFA should continue to implement that mandate and tasks in accordance with resolution 2550 (2020);
3. Maintains the authorized troop and police ceilings as set out in paragraphs 4and 5 of resolution 2550 (2020);
4. Reiterates the Security Council’s demand for the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan to provide full support for UNISFA in the implementation of its mandate, specifically the deployment of UNISFA personnel, including by removing any obstacles that hinder UNISFA’s work to protect civilians in Abyei;
5. Reiterates that the Abyei Area shall be demilitarized from any forces, as well as armed elements of the local communities, other than UNISFA and the Abyei Police Service, and urges the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan and the local communities to take all necessary steps to ensure that Abyei is effectively demilitarized and to extend full cooperation to UNISFA in this regard;
6. Takes note of the letter of the Secretary General (S/2021/322);
7. Requests the Secretary-General, in accordance with best practices, conduct and provide the Security Council, no later than 30 September 2021, a strategic review of UNISFA assessing recent political developments between and within Sudan and South Sudan and providing detailed recommendations for further reconfiguration of the mission and establishing a viable exit strategy, which should prioritize the safety and security of civilians living in Abyei, account for stability of the region, and include an option for an exit strategy for UNISFA that is not limited by the 2011 agreements;
8. Requests the Secretary General to continue to inform the Security Council of progress in implementing UNISFA’s mandate as set out in paragraph 33 of resolution 2550 (2020), with a written report no later than 15 October 2021;
9. Decides to remain actively seized of this matter.
Adopted by the Security Council on 11 May 2021.
