The United Nations Interim Security Force (UNISFA) has refuted claims that Mombasa Port is being used to ferry weapons used to arm rebel groups in the contested Abyei region that lies on the border of Sudan and South Sudan.
The agency clarified that the allegations were false explaining that the Port of Mombasa was being used to solely move UNISFA supplies and equipment.
They went on to explain that they had deviated from using Sudan port due to the ongoing crisis in the area.
“The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) is concerned by disinformation circulating online and on social media, falsely accusing the mission of arming local youth in the Abyei Box,” UNISFA stated.
“The false reports alleged that third-party commercial trucks carrying UNISFA contingent-owned equipment, being transported to Abyei from the Port of Mombasa, Kenya, were to be used to equip an armed group operating in Abyei.”
Additionally, UNISFA called on the public to ignore the allegations stating that they were aimed at tarnishing the force’s reputation and escalating tensions in Abyei.
Unfortunately, the allegations have disrupted the force’s operations, resulting in the inspection and recall of trucks bearing UNISFA equipment.
“Separately, another shipment of five trucks, transporting UN-owned equipment containing logistics items en route to Abyei from Wau, was diverted back to Wau for inspection by South Sudan's authorities. This action was prompted by inaccurate reports claiming that these trucks were transporting weapons and ammunition,” UNISFA disclosed.
UNISFA has been actively involved in the Abyei region since a 2011 diplomatic intervention led by former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon that resulted in a trilateral agreement involving Sudan, South Sudan and the UN.
This after years of both nations vying for control over the border region.
Consequently, the consensus reached was that a third party (UNISFA) should be introduced to oversee the Abyei area.
The force was mandated to monitor and verify the redeployment of Sudan Armed Forces and Sudan People’s Liberation Army from the Abyei area.
Since then, UNISFA has been charged with facilitating humanitarian aid delivery and enabling the free movement of aid workers within the region with the authority to use force when necessary.
