Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Horn of Africa Guang Cong
Remarks to the Security Council on the Sudan and South Sudan
New York, 5 November 2025
Mr President,
Distinguished Members of the Security Council,
Thank you for the opportunity to brief the Security Council on the progress made in implementing Resolution 2046, which addresses outstanding bilateral issues between Sudan and South Sudan, as well as the situation in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states.
The bilateral relationship between Sudan and South Sudan remains deeply affected by the war that started in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). In particular, the conflict in Sudan continues to impact the security situation in South Sudan with cross-border movements of armed groups on both sides, increasing the insecurity in and around the border area.
The conflict in Sudan and the deterioration of security are also compounding the already dire economic situation in South Sudan by affecting its primary source of revenue. South Sudan’s oil flow and exports through Sudan have experienced significant disruptions, resulting in a 24.5% contraction of its economy. Following increased bilateral engagement and new arrangements to improve security along the pipeline route and other installations, oil production and transportation resumed early this year.
However, subsequent attacks by the RSF on oil installations, notably drone strikes on fuel depots storing South Sudan’s crude in Port Sudan on 5-6 May, and another attack on 26 August on oil facilities in Heglig, near the Sudan – South Sudan border, resulted in oil spills, environmental damage and led to an emergency shutdown of operations.
In the meantime, both Sudan and South Sudan continued to engage in efforts to secure oil infrastructure and improve the bilateral economic situation. From 4 to 6 October, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Sudan visited Port Sudan, where he held meetings with the Chair of the Transitional Sovereign Council, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and other Sudanese officials.
The visit led to a series of bilateral agreements aimed at protecting oil facilities and pipeline installations, the establishment of a joint economic committee, the designation of a free trade zone at Port Sudan for South Sudan, and increased cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure, and security. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to regular political consultations and regional coordination. These efforts mark a renewed bilateral commitment to stabilisation and cooperation.
Mr President,
Bilateral engagement between Sudan and South Sudan on the final status of Abyei has been at a low point since the start of the war in Sudan. South Sudan's internal political challenges have further complicated this impasse. Since 2017, the Abyei Joint Oversight Committee (AJOC) has not convened, and since January 2023, meetings of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism (JPSM) between the two countries have remained suspended.
The Sudan conflict continues to exacerbate the already dire humanitarian situation in Abyei. About 41,000 displaced people from Sudan have entered Abyei since the start of the Sudan war, placing immense pressure on already limited water, food, healthcare, shelter and other humanitarian resources. Families live in overcrowded conditions, with some households accommodating multiple displaced families. Communities are unable to start agricultural activities due to displacements and insecurity.
The war in Sudan also increased the pressure on the Amiet market with an influx of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and people from Kordofan converging around the Amiet area. Combined with rural populations relocating to major towns due to conflict and flooding, this has led to a significant population surge in the Abyei area.
The war in Sudan is also affecting the security situation in Abyei. I note with concern that the growing presence and activities of the RSF in northern Abyei violates the 2011 Agreement on Interim Arrangements and the applicable Security Council resolutions on Abyei. Similarly, the South Sudanese Peoples' Defence Forces (SSPDF) have increased their presence in southern Abyei, breaching the same agreement and resolutions. These military activities in and around Abyei have significantly impeded the operations of UNISFA.
Although Abyei has enjoyed a relative period of calm in terms of intercommunal conflicts between the Ngok and Twic Dinka, as well as between the Ngok Dinka and the Misseriya, recent clashes between the SSPDF and the SPLA-IO, and increased attacks by armed Nuer elements on local communities, have heightened insecurity in the region. Both the Misseriya and Ngok Dinka communities share growing frustrations over the years of political uncertainty and the perceived inaction of both governments regarding the future of Abyei.
Against this backdrop, and in a welcome renewed effort to advance the Abyei political process, President Salva Kiir reconstituted the South Sudan Abyei High Level Committee last month. In my meeting with the Committee on 27 October in Addis Ababa, I expressed my full support for all efforts to improve the situation in Abyei and address its final status. While commending the stabilising role of UNISFA, the Committee urged full deployment of the United Nations police force and expressed hope that international partners would renew their diplomatic efforts regarding Abyei’s final status.
Similarly, the Sudanese Minister of Foreign Affairs, in our meeting on 20 October, welcomed the reconstitution of South Sudan's Abyei committee and assured that the Sudanese government intends to resume the joint bilateral meetings on Abyei. He also emphasised the Sudan's commitment to enhanced bilateral cooperation with South Sudan to address shared security challenges.
With both South Sudan and the Sudan expressing willingness to revive the political process regarding Abyei’s future, I look forward to supporting the African Union-led process in line with the Communiqué of the 1108th Session of the Peace and Security Council that reiterated the need to accelerate the implementation of the 2011 Agreement on Temporary Security and Administrative Arrangements for the Abyei Area and to resume the bilateral political dialogue on Abyei’s final status.
Mr President,
The civilians living in the Two Areas, particularly in South Kordofan, continue to be affected by the Sudan war as the overall Kordofan region, alongside Darfur, has become the epicentre of the battle between SAF and RSF. The local population is facing increasing insecurity with intensified fighting, including drone strikes in several localities, most recently in the capital city of Kadugli, the town of Dilling and in the Dalami area.
The announcement, in February, of an alliance between the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu, and the RSF, as well as the subsequent constitution of joint parallel institutions, further fragilised South Kordofan and Blue Nile. This shift in the conflict highlights the deep divide between the Sudan’s “centre" and its so-called "peripheries".
This significant development is a strong indication that the settlement of the situation in South Kordofan and Blue Nile cannot be separated from a national political dialogue and new institutional arrangements redefining the relationship between the centre of power and populations and territories that consider themselves excluded. Mediation efforts should provide an opportunity to address the long-standing status of South Kordofan and Blue Nile, which were initially part of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).
In this regard, I will continue to provide support to the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Sudan, as well as the efforts of the African Union and the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development, seeking to end the war in Sudan and to initiate a political process that should include South Kordofan and Blue Nile states fully. I will also continue to engage with the governments of Sudan and South Sudan on further improving their bilateral relations and on ameliorating the current situation in Abyei. In addition, I will continue to provide my full support to the African Union and the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development in their efforts to resolve the final status of Abyei.
Thank you for your attention.
