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.

GoSS delegation returns from IGAD Summit

25 Nov 2010

GoSS delegation returns from IGAD Summit

24 November 2010 - The Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) delegation to the recently concluded east African leaders meeting in Addis Ababa returned to Juba today with a message to fully implement the country's peace accord.

The high-level Inter-Governmental Authority for Development (IGAD) Summit discussed ongoing issues in Somalia and Sudan, including the Southern Sudan and Abyei self-determination referenda as well as citizenship and border demarcation.

Speaking at a press conference after the delegation's arrival, Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) Secretary-General Pagan Amum reiterated the commitment of the IGAD summit in addressing outstanding issues of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

"(The) summit calls on the Sudanese and CPA (partners) to fully implement (the) CPA," Mr. Amum said.

He added that African heads of states had called for the respect of Southern Sudanese rights regardless of the outcome of the referendum.

The SPLM Secretary-General noted that referendum voter registration for Southern Sudanese living in neighbouring countries was progressing well, despite delays.

But he said that issues relating to the Abyei referendum had not been finalized during the IGAD summit. "We hope with (the support) of the US and international community, the parties to the CPA will resolve the Abyei issue."

On 9 January 2011, the Southern Sudanese will participate in a landmark self-determination referendum, while the residents of Abyei will vote for unity or separation from the north in the case of a southern secession.

A meeting addressing Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states as well as outstanding issues in the interim constitution would be held on 28 and 29 November, Mr. Amum concluded.

Also present at the Ethiopian summit was Thabo Mbeki, Chairperson of the African Union High Level Implementation Panel for Sudan, who assured the international community that contested issues of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) would be resolved.

The GoSS delegation was led by Sudanese First Vice-President and GoSS President Salva Kiir Mayardit. Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir also attended the summit.