The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) has confirmed the completion of the evacuation of its logistics base in Kadugli, South Kordofan, Sudan, after nearly thirteen years of operations. The evacuation of the mission’s personnel and some NGO staff was successfully completed over the weekend.
The withdrawal follows a comprehensive assessment of the security situation in Kadugli following drone attacks on the logistics base on 13 December, that claimed the lives of six UN peacekeepers and seriously injured nine others. The remains of the six peacekeepers killed in the attack were repatriated to Bangladesh while eight of the injured are recuperating at a hospital in Nairobi, Kenya.
The Kadugli logistics base, which is the headquarters of the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JBVMM) is responsible for monitoring and verifying the Safe Demilitarized Border Zone (SDBZ). JBVMM was established after Sudan and South Sudan agreed to establish the SDBZ in 2012 and is supported by UNISFA. It currently has presence in two other locations, Tishwin and Abu Qussa.
UNISFA strongly condemns the attack on its base and reiterates that targeting peacekeepers is a grave violation of international law. It also undermines the Mission’s ability to effectively deliver its mandate. UNISFA continues to engage with relevant authorities to investigate the attack and assess the situation on the ground.
