The United Nations Security Council has extended its peacekeeping mission in the disputed Abyei region for another year, underscoring the stalled political progress between Sudan and South Sudan. The renewal keeps the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei, or UNISFA, in place as both countries continue to contest control of the oil-rich territory.

The Council said future extensions will depend on tangible political movement, a signal that patience in New York is thinning as the border dispute enters its thirteenth year. Abyei has remained a flashpoint since South Sudan gained independence in 2011, with neither side agreeing on the long-delayed referendum intended to determine the region’s status.

UN officials argue that maintaining UNISFA is essential to preventing clashes between rival communities, particularly the Ngok Dinka aligned with South Sudan and the Misseriya who move through the region seasonally. The area has experienced periodic violence, displacement, and armed standoffs, often escalating during migration cycles.

This year’s mandate extension includes continued monitoring of potential troop movements by Sudanese or South Sudanese forces, support for local conflict resolution, and protection of civilians, who remain vulnerable amid political deadlock. Diplomats familiar with the decision said the Security Council pushed both governments to resume dialogue, noting that previous commitments have not translated into meaningful progress.

Regional analysts warn that the unresolved status of Abyei risks becoming more volatile as domestic pressures grow in both countries, each facing internal conflicts, economic strain, and governance challenges. UN officials privately hope that extending UNISFA will create breathing room for renewed negotiations, though past efforts have repeatedly stalled.

The takeaway among diplomats is clear, the mission will remain for now, but future renewals may not be guaranteed without visible steps toward a political settlement.