By Tito Tach Tiel,
January 20, 2024 — The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) was involved in an attack in Anthony Boma Turalei, Twic County on Sunday, December 17, 2023. After the fighting subsided, the identification of one UNISFA officer was recovered by Twic County forces after they had pushed back Abyei’s Titbaai forces. This identification verified that the UNISFA and Titbaai of Abyei forces often patrol and attack Twic County together.
The UNISFA was established with good intentions. However, it turned out to be the source of insecurity in South Sudan. The UNISFA appears to have prolonged their UN mandate by supporting the Abyei Militia in fighting Twic County so that their mandate to stay in the Abyei is renewed and secures their job opportunities.
The UNISFA should not be involved in Abyei-Twic’s conflict. The UNISFA was deployed in Abyei to secure peace between Ngok Dinka and the Messieri Arab tribe along Abyei and Messeri’s boundary.The UNISFA deployed its forces South of the Kiir River, which is outside their mandate. The UNISFA is often seen taking the side of the Titbaai militia of Abyei when Ngok Dinka fights with Twic County.
The South Sudan Parliament should expel the UN Forces operating in South Sudan because the UNISFA is involved in the conflict between Twic and Ngok.
The UNISFA should be aware of the 1956 boundary as the international boundary between Ngok Dinka and Twic County.
Abyei is a part of Kordofan and belongs to Sudan. The boundary between Kordofan and Barh El Gazal of South Sudan is the 1956 boundary that passes through the Kiir River, separating Twic of Barh El Gazal and Ngok Dinka of Kordofan.
The UNISFA mandate is limited to Abyei and the boundary between Abyei and the Messiria. Therefore, the deployment of the UNISFA forces in the Twic County’s land violates its mandate.Â
Twic County is a territory of South Sudan, and Abyei County is a territory of Sudan and the UNISFA’s mandate is limited inside Abyei’s territory. The UNISFA should not deploy its forces in South Sudan’s territory between Twic and Abyei as that would cross an international boundary.
The Government of South Sudan needs to be vigilant about the UN forces and United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) operations in the country, otherwise, it can be used as a tool for regime change by supplying rebels fighting against the government.
The UNISFA’s conduct in Abyei has damaged the image of the UN peacekeeping mission by its partaking in the communal conflict. Their behavior in allying with Abyei forces to fight Twic County would put the lives of other UN forces in danger, as it would escalate the conflict.
If you have any evidence of human rights abuse by UN peacekeeping forces in South Sudan or anywhere in Africa, please send it to the South Sudan Diversity News page. Please also remember to share this information with your local government or members of parliament for immediate assistance or investigation.
Thank you,
Tito Tiel is a concerned South Sudan citizens who lives in Canada. For more information, you can reach the auhor at  titotiel@gmail.com.
