Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many times the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei in Sudan has intervened in recent conflict in Abyei; whether there is any obstacle to increasing the size of this force; and what is the UK’s contribution to the force.

The UK Government commends the efforts of the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) to help maintain peace and security in Abyei under challenging circumstances. In March 2023, the UK Government sent a joint political delegation from British Embassy Juba and British Embassy Khartoum to Abyei to engage UNISFA's leadership following the transition to a multinational force and commend its efforts to tackle the security situation. We are aware of the increased presence in southern Abyei of the South Sudan People's Defence Forces and National Police, in violation of the 2011 peace agreement. The presence of forces is exacerbating tensions and hindering peace. We call upon the government of South Sudan to withdraw its forces without delay.