United Nations Interim Security Force in Abeyi (UNISFA) celebrated the 2023 International Day of UN Peacekeepers on 29 May at the mission headquarters in Abyei with Acting Head of Mission and Force Commander (HOM/FC), Major General Benjamin Olufemi Sawyerr reiterating calls for peace in the area.
The day also marked the 75th anniversary of United Nations Peace Keeping Operations (UNPKOs). The first UNPKO was the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO), founded on May 29, 1948 in the Middle East to monitor the Armistice Agreement between Israel and its Arab neighbours.
During the celebration of the two events, General Sawyerr and the Juba-appointed Chief Administrator, Kuol Deim Kuol, led the Mission Leadership Team in laying wreaths in memory of UNISFA peacekeepers who have sacrificed their lives in the service of peace.
This was followed by the reading of the UN Secretary General’s message by the acting HOM/FC and a parade by military contingents, police, civilians, and UN volunteers. The Chinese Medium Utility Helicopter Unit put on an aerial display.
Representatives of the local authorities, youth and women’s group leaders joined the UNISFA peacekeepers during a series of commemorative events held under this year’s theme, “People, Peace, Progress: The Power of Partnerships.”
An evening cultural fete included music, a traditional food bazaar and dances by various contingents. Women and children from the local community performed traditional music and dance.
The official ceremony followed a weeklong football and basketball tournament between the peacekeepers and the Abyei Youth Football Academy. The youth team emerged winners after beating GHANBATT in the final match.
Meanwhile, the GHANBATT basketball team beat the UNISFA civilian opponents. Winners received trophies and medals, while the victorious football team got a cash donation from a local company.
In Kadugli, the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JBVMM) commemorated the Peacekeepers’ Daywith a three-kilometre run, a flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremony led by the JBVMM chief, Brigadier-General Atogebakoga Alobawone.
A tree-planting and clean-up session in Murta Village was followed by a volleyball game and cultural night.
Speaking at the event, General Sawyerr noted that “one of the tools of achieving the power of partnership is through sports. As you know, sports promotes universal values, and is not limited to language, religion, culture, or tribe. It brings people together. Its intrinsic values of teamwork, fairness and discipline can be used in the advancement of peaceful co-existence.”
The Abeyi ceremony followed the earlier International Day of UN Peacekeepers and 75th anniversary of United Nations Peace Keeping Operations (UNPKOs) held on May 25 at the UN headquarters in New York. It held May 25 as May 29 was Memorial Day public holiday in the United States.
The event was led by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who paid glowing tributes to the ‘Blue Helmets’ invaluable contributions. He also honoured and laid wreath for the over 4,200 brave men and women who lost their lives in PKOs since 1948 while serving under the UN flag. He also presided over the Dag Hammarskjöld medal ceremony at which 103 military, police and civilian peacekeepers who died in 2022 were honoured posthumously with the medal.
And the UN scribe hailed the ‘blue helmets’: “I salute your courage, act of bravery and total commitment to the United Nations Core Values and the oath of allegiance to serve humanity. I appreciate your service and contribution to global peace.
Also at the UN ceremony, UNISFA shined as Guterres said: “We were also proud to present the Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award to Captain Cecilia Erzuah of Ghana, who recently completed her assignment with the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA). She was recognized for her efforts to build trust with local communities and to ensure that the voices of women affected by conflict were heard and reflected in decision-making.”
Captain Erzuah (32) served in Abyei from March 2022 as the Commander of the Ghana Engagement Platoon with UNISFA.
Created in 2016, the UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year award recognises the dedication and efforts of an individual military peacekeeper in promoting the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.
“Resolution 1325 reminds us women peacekeepers are not only supporting global peace and security – they are leading the way. By every measure, Captain Erzuah is one of those leaders. On every front, her work has set the standard for ensuring the needs and concerns of women are reflected across our peacekeeping operations.”
She expressed her gratitude at being selected for the prize which she called “an award for all of us,” referring to her platoon members.
UNISFA came into being on June 27, 2011 when the Security Council authorized the deployment of a peacekeeping force to the disputed Abyei Area, which straddles Northern and Southern Sudan and has been claimed by both sides. The resource rich Abyei had in the weeks prior to the Security Council decision been the scene of deadly clashes that drove more than 100,000 people from their homes.
This was triggered by renewed violence, escalating tensions and population displacement in the region as Southern Sudan was preparing to formally declare its independence from Sudan on 9 July 2011. With the unanimous adoption of Resolution 1990 (2011), the Council formally established UNISFA, which at inception comprised of a maximum of 4,200 military personnel, 50 police personnel and appropriate civilian support.
Authorizing the use of force to protect civilians and humanitarian workers in Abyei, the Council underscored the need for UNISFA’s quick deployment “to take necessary steps to ensure rapid and effective implementation” of the resolution.
Earlier, on June 20, 2011, the Sudanese Government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) had agreed to withdraw their respective forces and allow Ethiopian peacekeepers in Abyei (the so-called ‘Temporary Arrangements for the Administration and Security of the Abyei Area’). Under that deal, brokered by former South African President Thabo Mbeki, the two sides agreed on the need for a third party to monitor the flashpoint border between North and South.
UNISFA Headquarters is located in Abyei Town, the major town in the Abyei. Operationally, there are three Sectors; Sector North, Sector Central and Sector South with Sector headquarters at Diffra, Abyei town area, and Anthony respectively.
On 29 May 2013, the Security Council, by resolution 2104, increased the authorized military strength up to 5,326 peacekeepers, as requested by Sudan and South Sudan on 8 March 2013 and decided that support for the operational activities of the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism would include support to the Ad Hoc Committees.
On 13 May 2019, UN Security Council Resolution 2469 (2019) recognized 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. The resolution extended the mandate of UNISFA to 15 November 2019 and stipulated to reduce the authorized troop ceiling to 3,550 and to increase the authorized police ceiling established in resolution 1990 (2011) to 640 police personnel, including 148 individual police officers and three formed police units.
On 15 December 2021, UN Security Council Resolution 2609 (2021) extended until 15 May 2022 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. The resolution also reduced the authorized troop ceiling to 3,250 until 15 May 2022 and maintained the authorized police ceiling at 640 police personnel, including 148 individual police officers and three formed police units.
The UNISFA mandate include the following:
- Strengthen the capacity of the Abyei Police Service (APS) by providing support, including the training of personnel, and coordinate with the APS on matters of law and order.
- Monitor and verify the redeployment of armed forces from the Abyei Area in accordance with the 20 June 2011 Agreement;
- Participate in relevant Abyei Area bodies as stipulated in the Agreement;
- Provide de-mining assistance and technical advice;
- Facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and free movement of humanitarian personnel in coordination with relevant Abyei Area bodies;
- When requested and in cooperation with the APS, provide security for oil infrastructure in the Abyei Administrative Area (AAA).
The Council also authorized UNISFA under Chapter VII to:
- Protect UN Personnel, facilities, installations and equipment;
- Ensure the security and freedom of UN and humanitarian personnel and members of the Joint Military Observers Committee and Joint Military Observer Teams established by the 20 June Agreement.
- Protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence; and protect the Area from incursions by unauthorized elements and ensure security.
Current Acting HOM/FC, Major General Sawyerr, took over the leadership of the reconfigured multinational peacekeeping force on March 15, 2022 from Ethiopia’s Major General Kefyalew Amde Tessema, who served the mission for about two years.
