The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) has told leaders of Twic Mayardit and Abyei that the Government of South Sudan will have to make the final decision on the issues underlying the dispute between the two communities.
UNISFA convened the meeting September 7th, 2026, in Juba to hear from both sides about the causes of the recently escalating tensions and conflict. During the meeting, the Twic Mayardit Community presented its account of the events and outlined the reasons contributed to the conflict that began in 2022 & beyond.
Following the presentations, UNISFA emphasized that its primary mandate was to de-escalate tensions and prevent further conflict, rather than make a final determination on the disputed issues. At the conclusion of the Twic Mayardit Community leader’s presentation, he asked the head of UNISFA whether Abyei had returned to South Sudan.
The question reportedly left room laughing from those present. The head of the UNISFA mission politely responded that “𝐀𝐛𝐲𝐞𝐢 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐊𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐨𝐟𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐮𝐝𝐚𝐧”, while reiterating that UNISFA’s role is to de-escalate tensions and that the Government of South Sudan would ultimately have to make the final decision concerning the matter.
The meeting ended after the two sides presented their respective positions, with UNISFA maintaining its call for de-escalation.
