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.

2010 absolutely critical for Sudan, SRSG Qazi

8 Feb 2010

2010 absolutely critical for Sudan, SRSG Qazi

Bidding farewell to the media on 7 February in Khartoum, outgoing Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) Ashraf Qazi called 2010 a crucial year for Sudan and commended the country on developments.

"2010 will be the last full year of the CPA (Comprehensive Peace Agreement). It will be absolutely critical for 2011 when the referenda are scheduled to take place both in Abyei and in the south," SRSG Qazi said.

He added optimistically that he believed the people of Sudan would overcome all challenges and sustain peace.

Acknowledging that contentious issues still remained, Mr. Qazi said the CPA's fifth anniversary celebration in Yambio showed that "the two leaders (President Al-Bashir and First Vice-President Salva Kiir) truly spoke from a visionary standpoint – a standpoint based on general conciliation".

The SRSG also praised the country for recent developments, noting that the "National Elections Commission is making steady and significant progress". Although challenges still existed, he was confident that national elections scheduled for April would be held.

"By and large, (the elections would) satisfy the observers and above all the people of Sudan," Mr. Qazi said.

"This country is full of potential and promise and all that is needed is peace," Mr. Qazi noted, adding that Sudan's stability would also strengthen that of the region, and urging the CPA parties to keep building trust.

To a question about Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's recent comment in Addis Ababa that was interpreted by the media as UN support for Sudan's unity, SRSG Qazi said the CPA would be successfully implemented whether Southern Sudan decided for unity or secession, provided it happened in a peaceful environment.

Citing personal and family reasons for leaving Sudan sooner than expected, Mr. Qazi said his successor Haile Menkerios would be a "far more than adequate replacement". He thanked the Government of National Unity, Government of Southern Sudan, members of the UN family, media and Sudanese people, describing the latter as "warm, welcoming, generous and proud", for their support.