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.

UK company to print referendum ballots

7 Dec 2010

UK company to print referendum ballots

7 December 2010 – A United Kingdom-based company, TALL Security Group, won the bid to print ballot papers for the region's self-determination vote, the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission (SSRC) said in Khartoum today.

Winning the bidding after it re-opened last week, Tall Group offered to produce and deliver materials to Khartoum, Juba and the eight foreign countries (Australia, Britain, United States, Canada, Egypt, Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya) where polling is scheduled to occur within 12 days of signing the contract, SSRC Director of Information George Maker Benjamin said at a media briefing.

The UK company bid to complete the task for $226,769, which was the lowest offer, the SSRC director added.

The company could start printing materials as soon as the contract was signed, Mr. Benjamin said, adding that distribution within Sudan remained the task of the SSRC.

Despite the short time available, Mr. Benjamin was hopeful that polling materials could be distributed to all locations by 9 January, the expected start of voting, with UNMIS support.