Closure of UNMIS

UNMIS wound up its operations on 9 July 2011 with the completion of the interim period agreed on by the Government of Sudan and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), signed on 9 January 2005.

The mission ended its six years of mandated operations the same day South Sudan declared independence, following a CPA-provided referendum on 9 January 2011 that voted overwhelmingly in favour of secession.

In support of the new nation, the Security Council established a successor mission to UNMIS – the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) – on 9 July for an initial period of one year, with the intention to renew for further periods as required.

13 July - The Ceasefire Joint Military Committee celebrates 100th meeting in Juba

20 Jul 2009

13 July - The Ceasefire Joint Military Committee celebrates 100th meeting in Juba

The Ceasefire Joint Military Committee (CJMC), the highest military ceasefire mechanism in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), will meet tomorrow 14 July for the 100^th time in Juba. Earlier today, a special ceremony was held in UNMIS Headquarters in Juba to mark the historic occasion, in the presence of the CJMC members, UN representatives and government officials.

In a statement read out by UNMIS Regional Coordinator for Southern Sudan, David Gressly, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, congratulated the CJMC for the crucial role it has played so far in the implementation of the CPA.

Mentioning the challenges lying ahead, Mr. Qazi referred in his statement to the redeployment of forces, the aftermath of the clashes in Malakal and the situation in Abyei. On the latter, he called on the parties to restrain themselves and their security forces in the area. "This includes those critical areas outside of the Road Map Agreement area, to which UNMIS is not given access to monitor the situation", Mr. Qazi said.

The CJMC consists of senior representatives from the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) and chaired by the UNMIS Force Commander, currently Maj. Gen. Paban Thapa. The CJMC reports to the Ceasefire Political Commission (CPC), which is the highest ceasefire mechanism in the CPA.

Since the first CJMC meeting on 8 May 2005 (45 days after UNMIS mandate came into effect) it managed to overcome a number of crises through swift action, such as the Malakal clashes earlier this year. The Committee continues to monitor the armed forces, de-escalate tension and rule on unresolved disputes and violations.

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