Madam President,

I congratulate Latvia on assuming the presidency of the Security Council this month. The Chinese delegation will extend full cooperation to you and your colleagues. I would also like to take this opportunity to commend Greece for its work during its presidency last month. I thank Under-Secretary-General Lacroix and Special Envoy Guang Cong for their briefings, and welcome the representatives of the Sudan and South Sudan to today’s meeting.

With the joint efforts of the Sudan, South Sudan, the United Nations, and other parties, the political process in Abyei has registered new progress. At the same time, the security and humanitarian situation there is still at risk of deterioration. All parties should strengthen communication and cooperation to promote stability and advance the political process in the Abyei Area. I wish to make four points.

First, we must stay committed to the political settlement of the Abyei question. China welcomes the fact that the Sudan and South Sudan recently resumed the regular meetings of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism (JPSM) and achieved multiple outcomes. We encourage both parties to keep the positive momentum and steadily advance the political process in the Abyei Area. We support Special Envoy Cong in strengthening coordination with the African Union (AU) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to promote the settlement of the final status of the Abyei Area. The international community should genuinely respect the sovereignty and ownership of the Sudan and South Sudan, fully understand the difficult situations each of them faces, maintain the necessary patience and realistic expectations, and refrain from seeking quick results, let alone imposing any solutions.

Second, we must safeguard a peaceful and stable environment in Abyei. Recently, Amiet Market in Abyei was hit by a drone attack, causing heavy civilian casualties. China expresses deep condolences to the deceased and their families and wishes the injured a speedy recovery. China strongly condemns attacks against civilians and civilian facilities, and urges all parties to cease violence, comply with international humanitarian law, implement the 2011 Agreement on Temporary Arrangements, and preserve the demilitarized and weapons-free status of the Abyei Area. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and other armed groups must withdraw from the Abyei Area as soon as possible and stop interfering with existing governance arrangements. All parties should continue to support the Dinka, the Misseriya, and other ethnic groups in strengthening dialogue and coordination, consolidating unity and mutual trust, and achieving harmonious coexistence.

Third, we must safeguard the livelihoods and well-being of the people of Abyei. Due to the delay in the political process, Abyei is seriously underdeveloped and very weak in self-generated growth. China encourages the UN country teams in the Sudan and South Sudan to conduct consultations and coordination with the host governments and, on that basis, advance the Abyei Joint Programme in an orderly manner and work with UNISFA to provide public services such as refugee resettlement, poverty reduction, disaster prevention, education, and health care, thereby reducing the breeding grounds of violence at the source. The international community should provide more resources and support to the humanitarian and development agencies that remain on the ground in Abyei.

Fourth, we must support the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) in fully implementing its mandate. China welcomes the Sudanese government’s approval of the deployment of formed police units (FPUs) to UNISFA and its commitment to facilitating visas and other arrangements, and recognizes the consistent support of the Government of South Sudan for the Mission. We have noted the suspension of the work of the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JBVMM), and support the Secretariat in exploring flexible and feasible options for its resumption on the basis of full communication and consultation with the Sudan and South Sudan. As noted in the Secretary-General’s report, shortages in human and financial resources have limited the Mission’s footprint and its capacity to deliver on its mandate. Member States should provide peacekeeping operations with the necessary resources.

Madam President,

Discussions are ongoing in the Council regarding the renewal of UNISFA’s mandate. As the second-largest contributor to the UN peacekeeping budget and a major troop-contributing country to UNISFA, China supports the renewal of the Mission’s mandate, its continued effective performance of its duties, and its positive contribution to peace and stability in the Abyei Area. It is our consistent view that any adjustment by the Council to a mission’s mandate should be based on the progress in the political settlement and the situation on the ground. In so doing, the Council should respect the wishes of host countries, take into account the mission’s performance, and make decisions in a prudent and responsible manner upon full consultation, to ensure that such decisions are conducive to lasting peace. China stands ready to work with the international community and continue to play a constructive role in an early and proper settlement of the Abyei question.

Thank you, Madam President.