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.

Parties should prevent election fraud

10 Feb 2010

Parties should prevent election fraud

Political parties should join together to prevent fraud in Sudan's upcoming poll, party representatives recommended at an election preparatory training session held in Malakal on 8 and 9 February.

Attended by 30 members of 12 political parties, the workshop was hosted by the Upper Nile State Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, UNMIS and the International Republican Institute (IRI).

Participants at the event, which aimed to improve relationships between political parties, also recommended that they respect each other and avoid violence as well as hostility.

The workshop also suggested that a dialogue forum among Malakal political parties be revived and that they avoid planning negative campaigns against each other. Parties should also meet with the Sudan People's Liberation Army PMO (Political Morale Orientation) officer to ensure that the military respected political activities.

Topics of discussion during the session focused on basic principles of democratic elections, the electoral and political party act, updates on electoral procedures, the campaign period, and PVT (Party Voter Tabulation).

"Democracy is based on dialogue to clarify the misconception between political parties during elections," said Sudan People's Liberation Movement State Secretary John Kor Diew.

The Secretary noted that workshop topics were useful and straightforward. "The facilitators used other countries as examples, which ... gave us an overview about campaign activities and elections."

Noting that his ministry was currently promoting the multi-party democratic system, Upper Nile State Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Baruach Uhich Akoloton requested that UNMIS support this activity.

Closing the session, Upper Nile State Governor William Othwon Awer urged political parties to live in harmony. "There is no need for violence. Political parties in here are for our people in Malakal."