UN Briefing: Sudan/South Sudan Border Insecurity and Abyei Dispute

Impact of Sudan War on South Sudan

• 🇸🇸 The war in Sudan, ongoing since April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF), continues to significantly impact the bilateral relationship and security situation between Sudan and South Sudan.
• ⚔️ Cross-border movements of armed groups from both sides are increasing insecurity in and around the border area.
• 📉 The conflict has severely affected South Sudan's economy, leading to a 24.5% contraction due to disruptions in oil flow and exports through Sudan.

Oil Infrastructure and Bilateral Agreements

• ⛽ Following initial disruptions, oil production and transportation resumed early this year after bilateral engagements to improve security along the pipeline route.
• ⚠️ However, subsequent attacks by the RSF on oil installations in Port Sudan and near the Sudan-South Sudan border in May and August resulted in oil spills, environmental damage, and emergency shutdowns.
• 🤝 A visit by South Sudan's Foreign Minister to Port Sudan led to bilateral agreements aimed at protecting oil facilities, establishing a joint economic committee, and increasing cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure, and security.

Abyei Dispute and Humanitarian Crisis

• 🕊️ Bilateral engagement on the final status of Abyei has been minimal since the war in Sudan began, with joint mechanisms suspended.
• 🆘 The Sudan conflict exacerbates the humanitarian situation in Abyei, with 41,000 displaced people from Sudan entering the region, straining limited resources.
• 📈 Population surges in Abyei, due to displaced persons and rural populations relocating, are straining the area's resources.

Security and Political Developments in Abyei

• 🚨 Growing presence and activities of the RSF and South Sudan Defence Forces (SSPDF) in Abyei violate interim arrangements and Security Council resolutions, impeding UNISFA operations.
• 🤝 Renewed efforts to advance the Abyei political process include reconstituting South Sudan's Abyei high-level committee and Sudan's commitment to resume joint bilateral meetings.
• 🌍 Both nations express willingness to revive the political process regarding Abyei's future, with support for the African Union-led process.

Situation in South Kordofan and Blue Nile

• 💥 The South Kordofan and Blue Nile regions have become epicenters of fighting between SAF and RSF, with intensified fighting and drone strikes impacting local populations.
• ⚖️ The alignment between SPLM-North and RSF has further fragmented these regions, highlighting a deep divide between the Sudanese center and its peripheries.
• 🗣️ Settlement of the situation in South Kordofan and Blue Nile requires a national political dialogue and new institutional arrangements redefining the relationship between the center and the peripheries.