The United Nations Assistant Secretary General (ASG) for Rule of Law, and Security Institutions, Mr. Alexander Zouev, accompanied by the Police Adviser, Mr. Luis Carrilho, today concluded a two-day field visit to the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA). The delegation was greeted on arrival by acting Head of Mission and Force Commander, Major General Gebre Adhana Woldezgu, mission leadership and all UNPOL staff. The delegation was subsequently briefed on security, political, operational and developmental matters.

ASG Zouev’s visit, like that of USG Khare a week earlier, comes as the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) goes through the process of reconfiguration.

Addressing both the Misseriya and Ngok Dinka community leaders in Diffra and Abyei respectively, ASG Zouev commended their involvement in peace initiatives, particularly the weekly joint peace committee meetings which have been so instrumental to maintaining peace and security in the Area. He regretted the non-implementation of the June 2011 agreement and stressed that peace, security, stability and rule of law were prerequisites for the development of Abyei, to which so many aspired.

ASG Zouev reminded the community leaders of UNISFA’s main objectives, including creating an enabling environment for the peace process, and thanked UNISFA for its role in supporting inter-community dialogue and reconciliation. He noted however that the final status of Abyei could only be determined by the two governments. ASG Zouev expressed optimism that the peace agreement signed recently in Khartoum between the government of South Sudan and opposition factions would accelerate peace in the region and impact positively on the Abyei Area

The UN Police Adviser, Mr. Luis Carrilho, underscored the continuing efforts to strengthen cooperation between the missions within the region on law and order issues and exchange of best practices. His visit followed the inter-mission retreat held in Addis Ababa involving UNISFA, UNAMID, UNMISS and MONUSCO, and facilitated by UNOAU.

ASG Zouev and his delegation left today for Khartoum where they are scheduled to engage with senior Sudanese government officials before proceeding to El Fasher, headquarters of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operations in Darfur (UNAMID).