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.

SSPS traffic officers complete skills workshop in Juba

6 Jun 2011

SSPS traffic officers complete skills workshop in Juba

3 June 2011 – A five-day workshop organized by UN Police and the non-governmental organization Pacific Architects and Engineers (PAE) aimed at enhancing traffic management skills of South Sudan Police Service officers ended with a closing ceremony today in Juba.

Conducted at UNMIS regional headquarters in Juba, the workshop sought to assist SSPS officers in minimizing traffic-related complications arising in the city ahead of southern independence.

The 21 management-level officers (3 women and 18 men) working in the SSPS traffic directorate received training in leadership, delegation of authority, change management, strategic planning, goal setting, problem solving, human resource and records management as well as other related issues during the course of the workshop.

According to Col. James Rut Wuol, head of research and planning in the SSPS traffic directorate, the Southern Sudanese capital has a high prevalence of traffic accidents, mainly due to poor roads, inadequately trained drivers and a high number of motorcycles. He said these obstacles must be addressed as Independence Day on 9 July approaches.

"We expect many guests during our independence and henceforth we need to plan our traffic management urgently," said Col. Wuol. "This training workshop has given us important skills for the purpose."

One of the three women officers attending the workshop, Second Lieut. Muchi Joseph Moti hoped the training would improve her skills. "It is very useful for us to operate in an organized manner and reduce the prevalence of accidents," she said.

During an evaluation session at the end of the workshop, participants noted the gap of trained personnel in the SSPS and requested the UN and other organizations to assist through similar workshops and training in future.

Deputy Police Commissioner of UNMIS Hakan Svedberg, who officially closed the workshop and handed certificates to participants, urged attendees to translate theoretical knowledge and skills learned in the workshop into practice in their daily undertakings.