On 14 November 2025, the UN Security Council renewed the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) for a further year, extending the mission until November 2026. The United Kingdom voted in favour, and the United States acted as penholder on the draft placed before the Council.
The resolution passed with 12 votes in favour, none against and three abstentions from China, Pakistan and the Russian Federation. Reporting indicates the text introduces clearer benchmarks, with any further renewal to be considered against demonstrable progress by Sudan and South Sudan on demilitarisation of the area, establishment of a joint police capability for Abyei and documented resumption of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism.
In the United Kingdom’s explanation of vote, delivered in New York by a Minister Counsellor, the Government stressed that decisions on UNISFA’s future should be guided by an assessment of the implications for the protection of civilians, and urged both Sudanese and South Sudanese authorities to take steps consistent with the resolution.
Negotiations around the mandate text also reshaped the resolution’s thematic language. Security Council Report notes that references associated with the women, peace and security agenda and climate change were reduced or removed, with several gender‑related formulations narrowed to “women and girls”, and proposals to delete language on specialist advisers and critical support services surfaced during the drafting process.
This marks a shift from the approach taken in resolution 2760 of 14 November 2024, which extended UNISFA to 15 November 2025 and retained established protection‑of‑civilians language. That text was adopted with 14 votes in favour and one abstention (Russian Federation), and it underlined support to the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism.
Benchmarking offers a clearer oversight framework while reaffirming Council control over the mission’s future. The draft in blue preceding adoption stated that any decision regarding UNISFA’s continuation remains at the Council’s discretion, and requested regular updates to assess progress against the identified benchmarks.
The security context remains volatile. On 17 March 2025, Council members condemned the Rapid Support Forces for detaining more than 60 UN peacekeepers, abducting eight civilian personnel and looting a UNISFA convoy after a 28 February incident near Kadugli-an episode that underscores ongoing risks to civilians and UN personnel in and around the Abyei area.
Host‑State responsibilities remain central to mandate delivery. Recent Council texts have urged Sudan and South Sudan to support UNISFA’s deployment, ensure freedom of movement, facilitate visas and enable continued backing for the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism; the UK reiterated those expectations alongside its vote.
Next steps are time‑bound. According to public reporting, the Secretary‑General is due to brief by August 2026 on progress against the benchmarks, giving the Council an evidence base to assess any reconfiguration or further renewal, alongside the UK’s stated test that civilian protection considerations must drive decisions on UNISFA’s future.