Currently, the international consensus is that a political solution must be found for Abyei, a Chinese envoy said on Monday, calling for efforts to be intensified in the maintenance of peace and security and resuming dialogue with South Sudan.

Dai Bing, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, emphasized that maintaining peace and stability in the Abyei Area is "a top priority" and the situation in Sudan has affected the Abyei political process. 

Speaking at a UN Security Council briefing, Dai called for a ceasefire in Sudan and on parties concerned to provide security guarantees for the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism. 

"Returnees and displaced people have exacerbated the humanitarian situation," he said, calling for humanitarian assistance to be maintained. 

He then stressed that "intercommunal relations are key to lasting peace," adding that China hopes the UN would step up peace building efforts in the region.

Noting the important role played by United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) in promoting the political process and maintaining security, Dai said that recently, UNISFA helicopter units, as well as patrol units, have been attacked while carrying out their duties. 

"UNISFA should make every effort to minimize the security risks to peacekeepers," he said.

"As a troop-contributing country to UNISFA, China will continue to contribute to peace and security in the Abyei Area," he added.

He called for the UN Secretariat to support logistical mechanisms for the Mission.

(Cover photo: The United Nations headquarters in New York, U.S., July 24, 2024. /CFP)