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.

Indians launch nursery school in Jonglei State

20 Jul 2009

Indians launch nursery school in Jonglei State

The Indian army contingent opened a nursery school for Sudanese children in Akobo County soon after the UNMIS Temporary Operating Base (TOB) was established there in the aftermath of heavy fighting in May.

Under the joint military-civilian project known as "Operation Goodwill," the Indian battalion renovated a small, dilapidated shed near the new TOB that will house the Goodwill Nursery School and also constructed a water point nearby.

UNICEF has donated teaching aids, three chairs, one table and plastic sheets to the new school.

"This effort will surely educate the little ones and wean impressionable minds away from violence," said Akobo County education director Gabriel Galwak, referring to the UNMIS endeavor.

The initiative offers education to about 35 children between the ages of four and seven whose access to schooling has been disrupted by the volatile security conditions in the area. Widespread publicity about the school project generated strong interest among local parents, and the high number of applicants required children to undergo an admission test. Those who passed were assigned to groups with different levels of learning.

The school currently has four Sudanese and Indian teachers who are under the supervision of Lt Saksham Sharma. The instructors work with a syllabus developed by the Government of Southern Sudan. Text books in English and mathematics were supplied by the Akobo primary school.

After two classes lasting 40 minutes each, the pupils have a 30-minute play session each day. Besides regular classes, they play sports and are also taught basic manners.

"It is a great opportunity for our young children to become literate," said John Majir, the father of one of the nursery school students.

UNMIS established temporary operating bases in the towns of Akobo and Pibor in mid-May after hundreds died in fierce tribal clashes in Jonglei State. The peacekeeping mission has deployed about 120 military, civilian and police personnel to promote reconciliation efforts and deliver humanitarian aid to the affected populations.