UN chief names Nigerian army commander as head of UNISFA in Abyei

JUBA – The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appointed a Nigerian army commander as the head of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), with South Sudan welcoming the decision.

The international mission was established on June 27, 2011, in response to the urgent situation in the disputed border area less than two weeks ahead of the independence of South Sudan after the eruption of violence between the two sides.

“United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres (Tuesday) announced the appointment of Major General Benjamin Olufemi Sawyerr of Nigeria as Force Commander for the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA),” reads a statement by the UN spokesperson.

Sawyerr succeeds Maj Gen Kefyalew Amde Tessema of Ethiopia.

The mission until now is formed only headed and composed Ethiopian military forces as it was requested by the Sudanese government and in recognition of the role played by the late Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.

However, following the deterioration of bilateral relations between Khartoum and Addis Ababa Khartoum requested the withdrawal of the Ethiopian force from Abyei that remains under Sudan’s sovereignty.

On January 19, 2022, the head of the Un peacekeeping department Jean Pierre Lacroix spoke with the Chairman of the Sovereign Council to inform him of the troops’ replacement process will start in February and will continue until next March.

Previously, Sawyerr served as Commandant of the Nigerian Army Armour School in Bauchi State in North-East Nigeria (2020-2021).

He held the position of Brigade Commander twice in North-East Nigeria and was Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Battalion with the United Nations Mission in Liberia (2009-2010).

He also served as the Director of Plans at the Nigerian Army Headquarters (2019-2020) and Deputy Director of Doctrine and Combat Development (2017-2018).

South Sudan welcomes appointment

South Sudan government welcomed the appointment of the Nigerian army general, with Deng Alor, South Sudan’s Minister of East African Affairs, saying the country will continue to look for ways to expedite the resolution of Abyei dispute.

“This is the responsibility to complement efforts of member states to preserve peace and security. As government, we welcome the appointment of the new force commander and will work with him to ensure peace prevails in the area”, he said.

Kuol commended the work of peacekeeping force, pointing to efforts that have been rolled out to curb illicit armed activities north of the area.

“There have been activities in recent past which have caused a great concern to the people of Abyei and neighbouring communities but the leadership of the UNISFA was able to respond and deploy to areas where the incidents were reported and calm has been restored”, he said.