A UN peacekeeping mission has been in Abyei since June 2011 and the US-drafted resolution adopted unanimously late yesterday by the council also decreases its troop ceiling.
The council's action reflects the Trump administration's determination to reform the UN's far-flung peacekeeping operations and take action when missions aren't able to carry out their mandates.
US Deputy Ambassador Michele Sison told the council that five years of obstacles to deploying the joint border operation "is enough" and the parties have six months to make it operational.