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.

Axel Alan Tongco – Air Operations Assistant

1 Nov 2011

Axel Alan Tongco – Air Operations Assistant

"Before I joined the UNV programme, I was a Senior Air Traffic Controller in my country, the Philippines, specialising as an En-route Radar Controller for 10 years.

I joined the programme because I wanted to widen my experience, not only in my country, but also abroad. I was hesitant at first, since most of the assignments are in remote locations, but was encouraged by a former colleague, also a UNV volunteer, and supported by my family."

Air Operations Assistant, Axel Alan Tongco, is an Aeronautical Engineer with a major in Aircraft Design, and a qualified pilot for commercial flights.Aside from his chosen profession Axel does wedding and portrait photography and is also a computer programmer.

"My background in aviation operations and safety helps me in the current assignment. My responsibilities include: planning the daily air tasks for UNMIS in Sector I; reporting on flight hours; briefing air crews before and after the flights; providing meteorological services for aviation safety; flight following; and sometimes ground marshalling, to mention just a few."

"Axel is a breath of fresh air in our team" says Archibald Mac Niven the officer in charge of UNMIS Aviation in Sector I. "Thanks to his computer programming skills our information is now properly kept in databases. He also drafted a proposal for Standard Operating Procedures for Flight Following in Southern Sudan and designed the Helicopter Route Procedure for UNMIS in Juba. Axel also puts a lot of effort into training the local staff in aviation safety and operations standards."

"Aviation is vital" concludes Axel "UNMIS could not fulfil its mandate without flights. Moreover, UNV volunteers have a unique role in this mission, doing credible work and contributing specialised skills and knowledge, to complement the work of national professionals or international UN staff. I like to think we are the front-runners in UNMIS."

UN Volunteers